THE 15TH PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION COUNCIL (PECC)
GENERAL MEETING,

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
1 – 3 September 2003

1. Introduction

The 15th PECC General Meeting will be held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from 1st to 3rd September 2003. The theme for this year is “Securing the Future, a strategic path for the next decade.”

2. Events and Venues

The Meetings will be held at the International Convention Centre (ICC). It is located 5 kms from the heart of the Brunei capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. The PECC GM Media Secretariat (MS) will be set up and located at the ICC.

The MS will accommodate a common press working area, and banking facilities, restaurant, travel agent, postal services. The MS will be operational from 0800 hrs until 2100 hrs on 29 August 2003 and from 0730 hrs until 2300 hrs on 30 August until 4 September 2003.

Key events:

Workshop on Trade, Finance and Community Building;

Official Opening and Gala Dinner by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam

Plenary Session I - A Regional Stocktaking: Is it now Every Man for Himself in the Asia Pacific region?

Plenary Session II – Doha Faltering: Key Messages for the Cancun WTO Ministerial and Beyond.

Plenary Session III – Strategic Resources: Are Markets for Minerals and Energy up to the Challenge?

Plenary Session IV – The Task Ahead on Private-Public sector Partnerships.

3 September 2003

Plenary Session V – Building Financial Stability from the Foundation: Domestic Institutions, Regional Links and Global Reach.

Special Keynote Addresses:

H.E. Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia

H.E. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines

Plenary Session VI – Revisiting the Pacific Community: the Way Forward.

Luncheon and keynote address – APEC as a Force for Unity in a World of Differences by His Excellency Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand and Host of APEC 2003

3. Accreditation

Members of the media wishing to cover events of 15th PECC General Meeting are required to be accredited and in possession of photograph identification (ID) card. The ID card must be WORN AT ALL TIMES at the official venues and will be required for entry.

Media applications for accreditation must be accompanied by a letter of assignment from the editor or a news executive from his/her respective media organisation. Applications without an accompanying signed letter of assignment will not be processed.

Please complete and return the Accreditation From attached in ANNEX A on or before 25 August 2003. For further information or enquiries please contact:

(Before 25 August 2003)

PECC GM Media Secretariat
Department of Information 
Prime Minister's Office 
Old Airport Berakas
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM BB3510
Tel : ++673-2-382550/383400/3831986 
Fax : ++673-2-382548 / 382242
E-mail : peccmedia@pecc.net

 (From 25 August 2003)

PECC GM Media Secretariat
International Convention Centre
Jalan Berakas
Bandar Seri Begawan
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Tel : (TBC)
Fax : (TBC)
E-mail : peccmedia@pecc.net

4. Collection of Media ID Cards

Media passes will be distributed on arrival at the International Convention Center (ICC).

5. Accommodation

Media organisations are advised to book early if they wish to secure accommodation within a reasonable distance of the International Media Centre. They may contact the hotels directly. There is a list of designated hotels for PECC at conference rates.

6. Host Broadcaster

Radio television Brunei (RTB) has been appointed the Host Broadcaster for the various events. It will provide to broadcasters international quality coverage of key events at the meetings.

Media Contacts

i. Mr. Pg Dato Paduka Hj Ismail bin Pg Hj Mohamed
Director of Radio Television Brunei
Prime Minister’sOffice
Tel : ++673-2222852 (direct phone) / ++673-2243111/2/3/4/5 etx. 210
Fax : ++673-2241882
E-mail : rtbdir@brunet.bn

ii. Mr. Hj Bujang bin Hj Masu’ut
Director of Information Department
Prime Minister’s Office
Tel : ++673-2383450 (direct phone) / ++673-2383400/2383040/2383041 ext 200
Fax : ++673-2382242/2382620
E-mail : dirinfo@brunet.bn

iii. Mr. Abu Sufian bin Hj Ali
Assistant Director (Information Section)
Department of Policy Planning
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tel : ++673-2262211 (direct phone) / ++673-2261177 ext. 263
Fax : ++673-2262207
E-mail : abusufian.ali@mfa.gov.bn

7. Visas

Information on entry visa to Brunei Darussalam is available at: www.pecc.net/PECC2003Brunei/information.htm

Work permit is waived for media covering the 15th PECC General Meeting. Please note that the Immigration Authority requires that your passports be valid for a minimum period of 6 months and hold the correct documents for entry into Brunei Darussalam.

8. Customs Clearance Requirements

Media representatives bringing in equipments into Brunei Darussalam should complete the Customs Temporary Importation Forms in ANNEX B, detailed inventory including model and serial number of equipments should be listed in the Form, which has to be endorsed by the Media Working Committee and Customs Officer-in-Charge upon arrival and departure. This requirement does not apply for hand carried items such as laptops or similar equipment.

Further information on the clearance of personnel and cargo for 15th PECC General Meeting please refers to the Media Services Secretariat

9. Telecommunications

The following telecommunications services will be available to media personnel at the Telecoms Business Center at the ICC:

· Telephone access
· Fax capability
· Internet access
· Prepaid telephone and Internet access card

Media personnel are requested to provide the Media Committee with an indication of the telecommunications equipments that they will use at the meetings through Form in ANNEX C.

10. Airport Entry

Subject to a provision in the Customs Import Duties Order 1973, arriving passengers over 17 years of age are eligible for the following concessions:

· Cigarettes or Cigar or Tobacco - 200 sticks or 50 sticks or 250frams
· Perfume - 60ml
· Toilette Water - 250ml

A non-Muslim over 17 years of age is allowed to bring in not more that two (2) bottles of liquor (about two quarts) and twelve (12) cans of beer for own private consumption. These items must be declared to customs upon arrival. Failure to do so contravenes with the Customs Act and will constitute an offence punishable under the Customs Act.

11. Drugs

The trafficking and illegal importations of controlled drugs are serious offences in Brunei Darussalam. Such offence carries the mandatory death penalty.

12. Airport Tax

The airport departure tax is B$12.00.

13. Transportation

Media should largely be responsible for their own transport arrangement. Shuttle bus services will be provided between the designated hotels and ICC.

14. Drivers' license / Permits

Brunei Darussalam recognises driving permit issued under the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic.

Media personnel are reminded that Brunei Darussalam drive on the left-hand side of the road.

15. Currency

There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that may be brought into or taken out of Brunei Darussalam.

Most internationally recognised currencies and travellers cheques can be exchanged easily at commercial banks, hotels and at the international airport. Normal banking hours are from 9.00am to 3.00pm, Monday to Friday; and from 9.00am to 11.00am on Saturday.

Major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and major shopping complexes. Some credit cards may be used in Bandar Seri Begawan banks' Automatic Teller Machines (ATM). Media personnel should make arrangements regarding this with their respective banks. A foreign exchange facility will be allocated at the venues.

Brunei Darussalam has a decimal system of coinage with B$1.00 - 100 cents. Brunei Darussalam currency is on par with the Singapore dollar. Exchange rates are subject to daily fluctuation. (For daily update of exchange rates between Brunei dollar and other currencies, please visit this site: www.baiduri.com.bn/rates/marketcommentary.htm.

16. Medical Arrangements

Medical facilities will be available to media at the ICC. Media personnel should make appropriate arrangements for insurance to cover emergency medical, surgical or hospital expenses

17. General Information

Located 443km north of the Equator, Brunei Darussalam covers a land area of 5,765 sq.km. It faces the South China Sea on Borneo's northwestern shore and shares a common border with the East Malaysian State of Sarawak.

It comprises four districts: Brunei-Muara, Temburong, Tutong and Belait. The capital city Bandar Seri Begawan is situated in the Brunei-Muara District while the coastal oil and gas towns of Seria and Kuala Belait, the backbone of the country's economy as well as the sources of primary revenue are situated in the Belait District about 100km from the capital.

The population of Brunei Darussalam is estimated at 338,400 comprising two-thirds Malays and the rest other indigenous races, Chinese and expatriates.

Malay is the official language but English widely spoken.

The official religion is Islam but those embracing other faiths are given the liberty to practice them in peace.

The bigger part of the county is covered with tropical rainforests, teeming with diversified species of exotic flora and fauna. Eco-tourism is actively promoted in order to preserve Brunei's lush and natural surrounding.

The Temburong National Park, located in Temburong District, is one of Brunei Darussalam's famous showcases. The prestigious Outward Bound School as well as the Kuala Belalong Field Study Centre are both very popular among local and foreign tourists.

18. Climate

The Climate is equatorial: hot, humid and wet all year around with an average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. Beyond its unspoiled coastline, rainforest covers over half of the nation's physical features, and includes heath and swamp forest not found elsewhere in Borneo.

19. Electriciy

Hotels provide 110 volt 20 watt sockets for electric razors only. Television operated on the 625 PAL Systems.

20. Time

Brunei Darussalam is eight (8) hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of US Pacific Standard Time.