Thailand
Brunei: MoD policy framework focusses on socio-economic development
THE Ministry of Development (MoD)’s Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2018-2023 is a comprehensive plan that outlines the policy direction in priority areas and provides strategy and implementation arrangements from aspects of land use planning, infrastructure development and environmental management so that they are closely coordinated with the country’s socio-economic development in line with duties and responsibilities towards the realisation of Brunei Vision 2035.
This was highlighted by Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar during the 15th Legislative Council (LegCo) session on March 18, 2019.
At the LegCo session, the minister affirmed that MoD’s focus for 2019/2020 to support the budget theme of ‘Investing in Our Future’ is in line with the ministry’s Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2018-2023.
The minister outlined several priority areas of the ministry, including that of optimal land use and planning for long-term national socio-economic development requirements, with the implementation of various initiatives.
These initiatives include: the review of land density for general housing in the country; Strata Titles; and the establishment and appointment of members of two boards – the Board of Valuers and Estate Agents (BoVEA) and the Board of Housing Developers – to regulate real estate valuers, agents and developers in the country.
Another priority area is the construction industry, on which the minister said a policy framework has been completed and outlines three focus areas: improved governance through better regulation of activities and improving ongoing regulations and procedures; adopting construction industry best practices with several action plans to improve productivity, quality of work and more cost effectiveness; and capacity building of those involved in the construction industry from the perspective of skills and knowledge, financial capabilities and the potential to create more suitable employment and business opportunities for locals.
The minister also noted the key priority of ensuring that public facilities are at an appropriate level, and affirmed that the MoD will give considerable attention to ensuring that public infrastructure such as road networks, clean water supply, drainage, sewerage and environmental conditions are managed and maintained in an organised manner.
Under this priority the sectors of housing, water supply, cleanliness issues and road networks are the main focusses, he shared.
The MoD launched its Policy Framework 2018-2023 and Strategic Plan 2018-2023 booklets in an event that took place on June 7, 2018.
As was reported following the launch, the Policy Framework 2018-2023 booklet provides a breakdown of the ministry’s priority areas across nine sectors, namely the provision of housing, road infrastructure, water supply services, provision of drainage, provision of sewerage, clean and sustainable environment, optimal land use, facilitating construction industry development and infrastructure financing.
The Strategic Plan 2018–2023 booklet, meanwhile, contains the guidelines and directions for projects which will be implemented under the priorities and requirements of the ministry’s management.
The minister spoke on what the MoD is seeking to achieve from the Strategic Plan 2018-2023, saying, “We are looking to generate and improve financial management from services including the collection of revenue and arrears, corporatisation or partial privatisation of certain services or parts of services under the ministry and departments under it, enhance efficiency and optimisation of human resources as well as assets of the ministry, strengthen the management and sharing of data more effectively for use in evidence-based policymaking, as well as upgrading technology in the delivery of services to effectuate more efficient customer service.”
Source: https://borneobulletin.com.bn/mod-policy-framework-focusses-on-socio-economic-development/