News and Updates (updated 19 September 2003)

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  • Presentations from the Plenary Sessions and Workshops are now available on the web.

  • 27 August - Media Advisory on WTO Report.

  • Program for Finance Forum Focus Workshop now available.

  • Updated visa information available on the web.

  • Program for PEO-Structure Focus Workshop updated on 25 August.

  • Program for Community Building Focus Workshop updated on 25 August.

  • Program for Trade Focus Workshop updated on 25 August.

  • 12 August - Press Release on the update of the PECC General Meeting.

  • His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei will open the General Meeting at a Gala Dinner at the International Convention Centre in Brunei.  He is expected to meet all partcipants.

  • Thai Prime Minister and Host of APEC 2003, Thaksin Shinawatra, is confirmed to give the closing address on Sept 3.

  • The President of the Philippines, Gloria Arroyo is scheduled to speak at the General Meeting on Sept 3.

  • Asia Inc is the Media Partner for the 15th PECC General Meeting.  

  • Participants are likely to have the opportunity to hear the PM-Designate of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Abdullah Badawi, who will take up his new position on the retirement of PM Dr Mahatir Mohamed, in October this year.

  • A video of the entire proceedings of the General Meeting is planned and 1,000 VCDs distributed after the meeting to participants and others.

  • The seating for General Meeting will return to the original hollow square arrangement and delegations will be seated by Member Committee. Time will be allocated to speakers “From the Member Committees”.

  • The President of the Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on the Information Society, Mr Adama Samassékou, will speak in a plenary session on Public Private Partnerships. The first phase of the World Summit is scheduled to be held in Geneva in 10-12 December 2003.

  • The Organizing Committee has announced four Brunei-based sponsors for the General Meeting.  Platinum:  Brunei Shell; Gold: DST Group; Silver: Islam Bank of Brunei and The Empire Hotel and Country Club

  • All sessions of the General Meeting will be held in the International Convention Centre. The organizing committee has arranged shuttle transport between five hotels and the Convention Centre for participants.

  • Fortune magazine will feature a special cover-wrap on PECC and the General Meeting in its August issue. This will be the Power 50 edition and it will be directed to top CEOs in the region.

  • The three Focus Workshops on Trade, Finance and Community Building are an integral part of the General Meeting Program. They take the place of concurrent sessions held in previous General Meetings and are being organized by PECC’s three Forums.

  • PECC will hold its Coordinating Group meeting on 30 August and its Standing Committee meeting on 31 August. These are administrative meetings specifically for members of those two groups.

  • A special PECC Roundtable on Airports and Airlines in Trade Liberalization and Economic Growth will be held in Singapore on 5-6 September. A welcome reception will be held at the PECC International Secretariat on 4 September. It is scheduled back-to-back with the General Meeting so participants can attend both meetings. For information contact Ms Betty Chin Ip betty.chinip@pecc.net at the PECC International Secretariat.

    • Participants traveling to Brunei through Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok can rest assured that all of these destinations are SARS free. Brunei remained SARS free throughout the outbreak earlier this year. 

    • The Brunei and Singapore Dollars are on parity. Their respective currencies can be used interchangeably in either country.

    • Alcoholic beverages are not served or sold in Brunei. Non-muslims are entitled to enter Brunei with a duty free allowance of two bottles of alcoholic beverage and 12 cans of beer.

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