The First Meeting of the 19th Session of the Legislative Council entered the 17th day today with the council approving two resolutions, one Resolution under Clause 7, Article 83 of the Constitution of Brunei Darussalam 1959, and the other under Section 4-2 of the Development Fund Act, Chapter 136 as well as adjournment speeches from some of the members of the Legislative Council. The council also approved the Supply Bill 2023/2024 and is known as the Supply Act 2023/2024 with an allocation of 5 point 96 billion dollars, which will take effect on 1st April. Before approving the allocation, the council heard the budget introduction under Development. The 11th National Development Plan, NDP was approved to be extended for another year until the end of Financial Year 2023/2024.
The Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy explained that the extension took into account the ministries' capability to complete projects under the 11th NDP that are still in implementation, and the opportunity to review new projects under the 12th NDP in order to have a positive impact towards the achievement of Wawasan Brunei 2 ribu 35. Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah also shared that a sum of 500 million dollars has been allocated to fund projects that have been approved under the 11th NDP involving 211 projects, including 28 new projects.
Among the new projects that have been approved are those that have high impact towards increasing the nation's Gross Domestic Product, GDP. This includes contributing to digital transformation towards enhancing information and productivity level, as well as increasing job opportunities for locals. Projects under priority sectors such as agrifood and development have also been identified to generate more economic and spin-off activities.
Source: Radio Television Brunei