Brunei and RI discuss business centers

Brunei and RI discuss business centers

JAKARTA (JP): Establishing joint business centers was one of
the solutions agreed on by visiting Brunei Sultan Hassanal
Bolkiah and President Abdurrahman Wahid to bridge the disparity
between bullock cart owners and Mercedes-Benz car owners.

During a meeting here on Saturday, the two leaders agreed to
develop, together with Malaysia, business and industrial centers
around the border areas of the three countries on Borneo island.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said joint
economic activities would be able to reduce social tensions due
to the severe economic gap among the people living in the area.

Alwi cited timber and pulp factories as among the most
potential sectors to be developed.

"Our people near the border, for instance, see Bruneians
driving Mercedes while they themselves only drive bullock carts.
So in eliminating the jealousy, investment must be boosted around
the borders," said Alwi after attending the meeting at Merdeka
Palace.

The sultan arrived in Jakarta on Friday evening for a two-day
working visit, as a courtesy following Abdurrahman's stop in
Bandar Sri Begawan on Feb. 27.

According to Alwi, Bolkiah asked Abdurrahman during the
meeting about the latest developments in Indonesia, especially in
the troubled provinces of Aceh, Maluku and North Maluku.

The President also briefed Bolkiah on the planned signing of a
note of understanding for a humanitarian pause between Indonesia
and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Geneva next week.

Abdurrahman assured his guest that the Aceh problem would be
resolved soon and convinced him not to hesitate in investing in
Aceh or other parts of the country.

"The signing in Geneva will become a starting point toward
peace for Aceh people. And the sultan was happy to obtain the
explanation," said Alwi.

The sultan promised to step up investment in Indonesia. He
also offered scholarships for Indonesian students who want to
study in the oil industry in Brunei.

Bolkiah left Jakarta on Saturday evening. (prb)