Moving forward with new wisdom

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday urged the general public to take the knowledge and classes learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic to assist diversify the economic system and create job alternatives for locals.

His Majesty, within the New 12 months 2023 titah, mirrored on the three years since Brunei was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whereas the calamity has impacted life basically, it has additionally given delivery to knowledge that opens alternatives for extra independence, stated His Majesty.

The monarch added, “It has strengthened key areas equivalent to meals safety, schooling, finance and well being”.

Knowledge gleaned from the experiences of the pandemic has elevated the capability of digital providers, permitting all events to get pleasure from better effectivity within the discipline of labor and digital studying, stated His Majesty.

“It will likely be much more significant if this expertise can instil the spirit of arduous work to diversify the economic system and be a part of fingers to create job alternatives for locals.“

The monarch believes that with such enthusiasm, it would spark nice curiosity among the many youth to enterprise into new fields, equivalent to large information, cloud computing, inexperienced power and environmentally-friendly expertise.

VISION 2035

In direction of reaching the objectives of Brunei Imaginative and prescient 2035, His Majesty famous the federal government’s implementation of the Financial Blueprint – and the devising of social and manpower frameworks, and hopes that the methods detailed within the blueprints will obtain strong assist from the varied stakeholders.

In the meantime, the monarch famous that financial challenges confronted by Brunei, together with inflation pushed by geopolitical tensions on the world stage, have uncovered the Sultanate to the bitter problem of “imported inflation” and the rise in costs of products.

“The inflation price has elevated from 3.8 per cent to 4.7 per cent, which is the best price ever recorded.”

His Majesty stated the federal government will try to minimise the consequences of inflation by guaranteeing that the provision of meals is steady and adequate.

His Majesty additionally famous that the agreements and memoranda of understanding with worldwide organisations and establishments are anticipated to assist the event and recognition of professionalism of human sources. This consists of agreements with the United Nations (UN), the Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF) and the World Well being Group (WHO).

His Majesty expressed deepest appreciation to civil servants, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, the Royal Brunei Police Drive, different uniformed forces, frontliners and volunteers, in addition to those that serve within the personal sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for his or her dedication and arduous work in 2022.

“I might additionally like to precise the identical appreciation and gratitude to all walks of life who’ve at all times cooperated in offering robust assist to the federal government, whether or not in coping with illness outbreaks or in supporting the nationwide growth agenda.”

His Majesty additionally expressed appreciation to pleasant international locations and worldwide organisations for his or her cooperation and help.

“We are going to proceed to nurture and strengthen relationships and cooperation with pleasant international locations, particularly in coping with regional and worldwide points and challenges post-covid-19 in financial restoration equivalent to digital commerce, empowerment, local weather change and basic well being.”

His Majesty concluded, “Glad New 12 months 2023 to all of the folks and residents of this nation, together with those that are overseas. Could Allah the Almighty bestow His blessings within the type of firmness of religion, well being, security and prosperity for all.”