Monodon project to boost local shrimp industry
Into global market: A local fishmonger showing off his catch for sale. Picture: BT file photo
IZAM SAID YA'AKUB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, March 31, 2008
THE anticipated arrival of a Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Black Tiger shrimp being bred in Brunei could carve a niche in international high value seafood markets.
During the Sixth Aquaculture Seminar organised by the Fisheries Department on Saturday, the local shrimp industry was informed that the SPF process is nearly complete with genetically improved post-larvae available in September.
Dr George Chamberlain, Technical Director of Integrated Aquaculture International (IAI) disclosed the information in his update of the three-year project which has seen the IAI develop advanced aquaculture technology to produce large black tiger shrimp for export.
Stocks of black tiger shrimp have been established and moved from primary quarantine to secondary quarantine toward potential SPF status.
Once established, the breeding of SPF black tiger shrimp will be set to begin, marking a new chapter in the history of Brunei's fairly infant shrimp industry.
The importance of the SPF black tiger shrimp, which is also known as Penaeus monodon, to Brunei shrimp industry revolves around the challenges faced by the local shrimp farmers.
High costs for post larvae, feed and labour, coupled with low international prices for shrimp means that for exports will need to target a different market.
During the seminar, Dr Chamberlain outlined that the industry needs to "produce large high value shrimp for the premium markets".
The Monodon is a larger shrimp and even locally is sought after, however despite being on the verge of something potentially big, Brunei will also need to convince the International market.
Plans to acquire Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and EU Certifications are also in the pipeline, with continuing contacts with large buyers in North America and participation in international seafood shows and markets are also ongoing to further develop the brand image of Brunei's shrimp.
The results of the venture between IAI and the Department of Fisheries are not mutually exclusive to specific-pathogen-free shrimp but also genetically-improved post-larvae, high-performing feeds, and sustainable farming systems and techniques aimed to produce quality shrimp for premium markets.
The Brunei Times
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Town and country planning in Brunei
Town and country planning in Brunei
ROZAN YUNOS
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, March 23, 2008
IN BRUNEI, the land use planning system normally known as Town and Country Planning is the planning system by which the government seeks to maintain a balance between economic development and environmental quality. Its official history in Brunei is relatively recent.
However land use planning can be said to have been in existence as early as 1906 when McArthur, the first British Resident in Brunei declared that everyone should live on dry land rather than on the water as has been the tradition for last few hundred years.
Before WWII, the government's preoccupation was to get a viable and financially independent government and a modern administration and not much focused on planning and development. The government's land policy then was to establish ownership of land in the country and the disbursement of those lands later.
Before the discovery of oil, most lands were used for rubber plantations. There was a scramble for land for rubber planting by the mid-1920s. The government encouraged people from Kampong Ayer to settle on dry land and take up agriculture. In the 1930s large areas of forests were designated as "forest reserves" — totalling about 42 per cent of the country's areas. When oil was discovered in Seria, one of the first tasks BMPC, the predecessor company to Brunei Shell faced was to build an infrastructure.
After WWII, reconstruction was essential. But that was delayed as there were shortages of all kinds: materials, machinery, shipping, labour, artisans and professionals including "town planners" as stated by Horton in his paper entitled "The British Residency in Brunei 1906-1959".
A new town plan was prepared for the capital during 1947 and it was hoped to make a "serious start" on the work of reconstruction in 1948. Kuala Belait got its own plan in 1949 but the Seria model was not approved until 1950. Roads, buildings, padang, shophouses and open spaces were carefully provided for in the town plans.
The first Brunei Development Plan 1953-1958 was all embracing and with over $100 million to be spent in those first five years. The emphasis was on the implementation of resettlement schemes, the expansion of education and medical services, the provisions of water supplies, and the improvement of agriculture and fisheries.
It also called for major extensions of roads and communication, bridges, buildings, power stations and installation of broadcasting and telephone system.
The plan was a major departure from the ad hoc manner previous British Residents generally spent money.
In 1958, Borneo Bulletin reported that "rarely has a place changed its appearance so quickly as quickly as Brunei Town.
"Gone are most of the shacks — apart from the seemingly permanent hovels of Kampong Ayer — of former years, and in their places, have arisen the steel and concrete buildings of a more modern age — offices, shops, restaurants and similar enterprises".
With the existence of subsequent Five-year National Development Plans, the need to establish a proper authority was certainly required. A Town and Country Planning Authority was considered vital in order to guide the direction of Brunei's physical development efforts.
In September 1965, the State Secretariat who is responsible for the development plan established a Development Department and created the first Town and Country Planning Officer post with several other staffing including a draughtsman and a technical assistant.
Directions were also given by His Majesty Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Saadul Khairi Waddien for the appointment of a consulting Town Planning firm, Messrs Alister MacDonald and Partners to initiate work on an Outline Development Plan for Bandar Brunei (subsequently Bandar Seri Begawan) pending the recruitment of a qualified Brunei Town Planning Officer. The preparation of the plan was in response to the rapid development that was taking place in BSB. The plan was completed and forwarded to the Development Department.
A seconded officer from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in UK arrived in Brunei to implement the Outline Development Plan, to prepare a zoning plan and to prepare physical plans for the whole country. A Town Planning Section was formed within the Development Department.
However the first plan was not able to be implemented fully and as a result of a paper presented to the Council of Ministers, it was felt that the Town Planning Section be detached to be the Town and Country Planning Department. This was formed on 1st January 1972.
A British expatriate was appointed as the first Commissioner of Town and Country Planning Department. He was then assisted by a staff of six and operated out of a small office at Jalan Kumbang Pasang. On September 19, 1972, the legislation "Town and Country Planning Order" (TCPO) was enacted which marked the beginning of real planning work.
With the 1972 Order, the department was able to play a pivotal role in guiding and controlling development in areas declared as Development Control Areas.
Several Planning schemes were produced such as Muara Planning Scheme and Gadong Planning Scheme. Two authorities — Development Control Competent Authority (DCCA) and Subdivision Control Competent Authority (SCCA) were formed. Originally both were chaired by the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning but since January 1996 the Surveyor General chaired the SCCA.
Prior to independence, Brunei faced the challenges of a new and independent nation. The need for a comprehensive framework to guide the process of physical development became evident during the 1970s and 1980s. Population growth, traffic volumes, public utilities and urban housing dominated the needs of the populace.
In 1983 the Town and Country Planning Department moved to the Public Works Department building at the Old Airport Government Complex. Internally, the department also formed the Landscape Section in that same year.
With Brunei's independence in 1984, the department came under the auspices of the Ministry of Development until today. In 1985 the Government noted the need for the preparation of the National Master Plan and called out for one to be commissioned. The preparation of this plan was carried out by an international consultant and was completed at the end of 1987.
The main aims included the preparation of a comprehensive physical and conceptual framework for the realisation of national objectives; the identification of optimum locations for a full range of land uses; and the preparation of statutory physical development plans covering the whole of Brunei. It was to secure the best use of the country's scarce land resource, and to establish an orderly framework for physical development over a 20 year period.
The enlargement of Bandar Seri Begawan also forced the planners to rethink what our capital should be and whether the old plans are still viable and workable.
Town and Country Planning faced many challenges in the future. The Town Planners need to be aware of the need to plan more and to explore creative mechanisms in order to improve the state of the country's urban and rural areas. But it is not just planners, everyone in the country need to share the roles in national planning and development. It takes focus, unity, creativity and commitment to attain goals and achievements in our efforts to build the nation.
The writer runs a website on Brunei at bruneiresources.com.
The Brunei Times
ROZAN YUNOS
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, March 23, 2008
IN BRUNEI, the land use planning system normally known as Town and Country Planning is the planning system by which the government seeks to maintain a balance between economic development and environmental quality. Its official history in Brunei is relatively recent.
However land use planning can be said to have been in existence as early as 1906 when McArthur, the first British Resident in Brunei declared that everyone should live on dry land rather than on the water as has been the tradition for last few hundred years.
Before WWII, the government's preoccupation was to get a viable and financially independent government and a modern administration and not much focused on planning and development. The government's land policy then was to establish ownership of land in the country and the disbursement of those lands later.
Before the discovery of oil, most lands were used for rubber plantations. There was a scramble for land for rubber planting by the mid-1920s. The government encouraged people from Kampong Ayer to settle on dry land and take up agriculture. In the 1930s large areas of forests were designated as "forest reserves" — totalling about 42 per cent of the country's areas. When oil was discovered in Seria, one of the first tasks BMPC, the predecessor company to Brunei Shell faced was to build an infrastructure.
After WWII, reconstruction was essential. But that was delayed as there were shortages of all kinds: materials, machinery, shipping, labour, artisans and professionals including "town planners" as stated by Horton in his paper entitled "The British Residency in Brunei 1906-1959".
A new town plan was prepared for the capital during 1947 and it was hoped to make a "serious start" on the work of reconstruction in 1948. Kuala Belait got its own plan in 1949 but the Seria model was not approved until 1950. Roads, buildings, padang, shophouses and open spaces were carefully provided for in the town plans.
The first Brunei Development Plan 1953-1958 was all embracing and with over $100 million to be spent in those first five years. The emphasis was on the implementation of resettlement schemes, the expansion of education and medical services, the provisions of water supplies, and the improvement of agriculture and fisheries.
It also called for major extensions of roads and communication, bridges, buildings, power stations and installation of broadcasting and telephone system.
The plan was a major departure from the ad hoc manner previous British Residents generally spent money.
In 1958, Borneo Bulletin reported that "rarely has a place changed its appearance so quickly as quickly as Brunei Town.
"Gone are most of the shacks — apart from the seemingly permanent hovels of Kampong Ayer — of former years, and in their places, have arisen the steel and concrete buildings of a more modern age — offices, shops, restaurants and similar enterprises".
With the existence of subsequent Five-year National Development Plans, the need to establish a proper authority was certainly required. A Town and Country Planning Authority was considered vital in order to guide the direction of Brunei's physical development efforts.
In September 1965, the State Secretariat who is responsible for the development plan established a Development Department and created the first Town and Country Planning Officer post with several other staffing including a draughtsman and a technical assistant.
Directions were also given by His Majesty Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Saadul Khairi Waddien for the appointment of a consulting Town Planning firm, Messrs Alister MacDonald and Partners to initiate work on an Outline Development Plan for Bandar Brunei (subsequently Bandar Seri Begawan) pending the recruitment of a qualified Brunei Town Planning Officer. The preparation of the plan was in response to the rapid development that was taking place in BSB. The plan was completed and forwarded to the Development Department.
A seconded officer from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in UK arrived in Brunei to implement the Outline Development Plan, to prepare a zoning plan and to prepare physical plans for the whole country. A Town Planning Section was formed within the Development Department.
However the first plan was not able to be implemented fully and as a result of a paper presented to the Council of Ministers, it was felt that the Town Planning Section be detached to be the Town and Country Planning Department. This was formed on 1st January 1972.
A British expatriate was appointed as the first Commissioner of Town and Country Planning Department. He was then assisted by a staff of six and operated out of a small office at Jalan Kumbang Pasang. On September 19, 1972, the legislation "Town and Country Planning Order" (TCPO) was enacted which marked the beginning of real planning work.
With the 1972 Order, the department was able to play a pivotal role in guiding and controlling development in areas declared as Development Control Areas.
Several Planning schemes were produced such as Muara Planning Scheme and Gadong Planning Scheme. Two authorities — Development Control Competent Authority (DCCA) and Subdivision Control Competent Authority (SCCA) were formed. Originally both were chaired by the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning but since January 1996 the Surveyor General chaired the SCCA.
Prior to independence, Brunei faced the challenges of a new and independent nation. The need for a comprehensive framework to guide the process of physical development became evident during the 1970s and 1980s. Population growth, traffic volumes, public utilities and urban housing dominated the needs of the populace.
In 1983 the Town and Country Planning Department moved to the Public Works Department building at the Old Airport Government Complex. Internally, the department also formed the Landscape Section in that same year.
With Brunei's independence in 1984, the department came under the auspices of the Ministry of Development until today. In 1985 the Government noted the need for the preparation of the National Master Plan and called out for one to be commissioned. The preparation of this plan was carried out by an international consultant and was completed at the end of 1987.
The main aims included the preparation of a comprehensive physical and conceptual framework for the realisation of national objectives; the identification of optimum locations for a full range of land uses; and the preparation of statutory physical development plans covering the whole of Brunei. It was to secure the best use of the country's scarce land resource, and to establish an orderly framework for physical development over a 20 year period.
The enlargement of Bandar Seri Begawan also forced the planners to rethink what our capital should be and whether the old plans are still viable and workable.
Town and Country Planning faced many challenges in the future. The Town Planners need to be aware of the need to plan more and to explore creative mechanisms in order to improve the state of the country's urban and rural areas. But it is not just planners, everyone in the country need to share the roles in national planning and development. It takes focus, unity, creativity and commitment to attain goals and achievements in our efforts to build the nation.
The writer runs a website on Brunei at bruneiresources.com.
The Brunei Times
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Food security among many issues raised
Food security among many issues raised
Start of the day: Speaker of the council, Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr) Haji Kemaludin ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Haji Mohd Yassin (behind the bearers) arriving for yesterday's morning session of the Legislative Council meeting. Picture: Rudolf Portillo
KHAIRUNNISA IBRAHIM
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
MEMBERS of the State Legislative Council yesterday discussed various issues related to the primary resources sector, particularly those concerned with agriculture and forestry, when they convened for the morning session of the ongoing state budget deliberations.
Several concerns by the public that was relayed by the non-governmental members of the council, as well as those selected to represent the four districts, included the need for greater promotion of local products and help for local farmers and fishermen.
Among the issues that were raised in yesterday's morning session of the meeting were:
Food security in Brunei
There are schemes in place to ensure that the security of the national food supply, said the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Ahmad Hj Jumat yesterday.
He was responding to a query raised by the Belait representative to the council, Hj Mohd Shafiee Ahmad, regarding the status of Brunei's food security.
"The issue of food security is very controversial," said the minister. "However, I can say that so far there has been no incidences of food shortage."
He also noted that the country is well prepared in case crisis threatens the supply of food to the country.
Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad said: "I can assure that the policies, process and action plans are in place to establish our position now and in the future regarding food security."
Promoting agriculture as a commercial venture
Future generations should be encouraged to view the agriculture as a lucrative commercial venture, so as to heighten local participation in the sector and increase agriculture's contribution to the gross domestic product.
"People are the most important resource and engine of growth," he stressed.
Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad noted that agri-business is a burgeoning field in the agriculture industry, alongside livestock and cultivation.
The ministry is actively pursuing and training youngsters to increase their interest and skills in this area.
Its entrepreneurship development centre in Sinaut, for instance, regularly hosts programmes for students during the school holidays so that they can learn about being entrepreneurial and business-savvy.
Such programmes are also hoped to spark their interest in making a living by participating in the agricultural sector.
The young should be encouraged to be less dependent on jobs in the government sector, but instead venture into the agriculture sector.
Heart of Borneo
Roadshows and meetings should be held to inform the public regarding the development of the Heart of Borneo initiative, Dato Paduka Hj Puasa Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Tudin said yesterday.
"This initiative has garnered widespread support from those countries involved," he said, but pointed out that in Brunei, interested members of the public are only able to keep tabs on the progress of the projects through reports in the media.
"Information about the Heart of Borneo (HoB) should be shared with the public through relevant meetings to discuss the aims and objectives of the initiative, its advantages and benefits, the implementation and running processes, monitoring and security issues and others, related issues such as the area allocated to the project," said Dato Hj Puasa.
"With these briefings, it is hoped that this initiative will receive the cooperation and support towards the successful establishment of the project."
In response, the minister said that while the HoB has been formally endorsed by all three Bornean governments, further action needs to be approved before the initiative can move forward.
A council to govern the goings-on of the HoB has been proposed, he added, but this is also pending approval.
While he could not divulge in detail what the HoB action plan will entail, Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad said that the ministry can and will consider holding roadshows for the public.
Exploring the biomedical potential of Brunei's forests
The agreement between Brunei Darussalam and Japan's National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (Nite) to explore the micro and macro-organisms that exist in Brunei and establish a bio-research industry here is a welcome development, Dato Paduka Hj Idris Hj Abas pointed out yesterday.
"This is a positive venture, as Brunei is rich in its biodiversity, and the (agreement) can lead to added benefits for the country socially and economically," he said.
However, he questioned whether the country is legally prepared to protect its rights to its forest resources, should valuable discoveries be made and be in demand globally.
If such a legal framework should be made, it should also incorporate aspects of conservation and sustainability of Brunei's forest resources, he added.
According to Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad, Brunei has its own bio-diversity centre, which occupies several hectares in Sungai Liang.
In terms of the legal aspects of the agreement, he continued, Brunei's Forestry Department is working with the State Attorney to work out the terms of a proposed memorandum of understanding between Nite and the biodiversity centre.
The MoU will hopefully be signed this year, said the minister, who did not specify a date.
The Brunei Times
Start of the day: Speaker of the council, Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr) Haji Kemaludin ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Haji Mohd Yassin (behind the bearers) arriving for yesterday's morning session of the Legislative Council meeting. Picture: Rudolf Portillo
KHAIRUNNISA IBRAHIM
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
MEMBERS of the State Legislative Council yesterday discussed various issues related to the primary resources sector, particularly those concerned with agriculture and forestry, when they convened for the morning session of the ongoing state budget deliberations.
Several concerns by the public that was relayed by the non-governmental members of the council, as well as those selected to represent the four districts, included the need for greater promotion of local products and help for local farmers and fishermen.
Among the issues that were raised in yesterday's morning session of the meeting were:
Food security in Brunei
There are schemes in place to ensure that the security of the national food supply, said the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Ahmad Hj Jumat yesterday.
He was responding to a query raised by the Belait representative to the council, Hj Mohd Shafiee Ahmad, regarding the status of Brunei's food security.
"The issue of food security is very controversial," said the minister. "However, I can say that so far there has been no incidences of food shortage."
He also noted that the country is well prepared in case crisis threatens the supply of food to the country.
Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad said: "I can assure that the policies, process and action plans are in place to establish our position now and in the future regarding food security."
Promoting agriculture as a commercial venture
Future generations should be encouraged to view the agriculture as a lucrative commercial venture, so as to heighten local participation in the sector and increase agriculture's contribution to the gross domestic product.
"People are the most important resource and engine of growth," he stressed.
Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad noted that agri-business is a burgeoning field in the agriculture industry, alongside livestock and cultivation.
The ministry is actively pursuing and training youngsters to increase their interest and skills in this area.
Its entrepreneurship development centre in Sinaut, for instance, regularly hosts programmes for students during the school holidays so that they can learn about being entrepreneurial and business-savvy.
Such programmes are also hoped to spark their interest in making a living by participating in the agricultural sector.
The young should be encouraged to be less dependent on jobs in the government sector, but instead venture into the agriculture sector.
Heart of Borneo
Roadshows and meetings should be held to inform the public regarding the development of the Heart of Borneo initiative, Dato Paduka Hj Puasa Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Tudin said yesterday.
"This initiative has garnered widespread support from those countries involved," he said, but pointed out that in Brunei, interested members of the public are only able to keep tabs on the progress of the projects through reports in the media.
"Information about the Heart of Borneo (HoB) should be shared with the public through relevant meetings to discuss the aims and objectives of the initiative, its advantages and benefits, the implementation and running processes, monitoring and security issues and others, related issues such as the area allocated to the project," said Dato Hj Puasa.
"With these briefings, it is hoped that this initiative will receive the cooperation and support towards the successful establishment of the project."
In response, the minister said that while the HoB has been formally endorsed by all three Bornean governments, further action needs to be approved before the initiative can move forward.
A council to govern the goings-on of the HoB has been proposed, he added, but this is also pending approval.
While he could not divulge in detail what the HoB action plan will entail, Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad said that the ministry can and will consider holding roadshows for the public.
Exploring the biomedical potential of Brunei's forests
The agreement between Brunei Darussalam and Japan's National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (Nite) to explore the micro and macro-organisms that exist in Brunei and establish a bio-research industry here is a welcome development, Dato Paduka Hj Idris Hj Abas pointed out yesterday.
"This is a positive venture, as Brunei is rich in its biodiversity, and the (agreement) can lead to added benefits for the country socially and economically," he said.
However, he questioned whether the country is legally prepared to protect its rights to its forest resources, should valuable discoveries be made and be in demand globally.
If such a legal framework should be made, it should also incorporate aspects of conservation and sustainability of Brunei's forest resources, he added.
According to Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad, Brunei has its own bio-diversity centre, which occupies several hectares in Sungai Liang.
In terms of the legal aspects of the agreement, he continued, Brunei's Forestry Department is working with the State Attorney to work out the terms of a proposed memorandum of understanding between Nite and the biodiversity centre.
The MoU will hopefully be signed this year, said the minister, who did not specify a date.
The Brunei Times
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