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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting

24 July 2003

Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting

Berakas, Brunei Darussalam, 16-18 September 2003



Note on Media Accreditation

Brunei Darussalam will host the annual meeting of Commonwealth Finance Ministers from 16 to 18 September 2003.

The meeting, to be held at the International Convention Centre in Berakas, will bring together ministers and delegates from 52 member countries.

One of the main sessions at the ministerial meeting, which will take place just before the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, will be on the special theme 'Delivering Basic Services to the Poor'. The next World Development Report (WDR), which will be launched at the IMF/World Bank meetings, will also focus on this theme. Commonwealth ministers' discussions will cover the practicalities of different service providers (public, private and non-governmental). The talks will help shape a reform agenda to make basic services work for the poor. The principal author of the WDR, Mr Shanta Devarajan, will present the report to ministers.

Ministers and senior officials will also discuss the uncertain global economic prospects; their implications for Commonwealth developing countries; and the need for international action to help deal with the adverse effects of global recessionary developments. The meeting will also address issues relating to debt sustainability under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC), small states, commonwealth development co-operation and the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation. Senior officials will discuss as their technical theme 'Public/ Private Partnerships in Financing Infrastructure'.



Journalists wishing to attend the Commonwealth meeting in Brunei Darussalam should complete the attached accreditation form and return it to the Communications and Public Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat by 15 August 2003.

For information please contact:

Mr. Joel Kibazo
Director
Communications and Public Affairs Division
Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House
London SW1Y 5HX
Tel: +44 20 7747 6380
Fax: +44 20 7839 9081
e-mail: j.kibazo@commonwealth.int

Mr. Mohd Rosli Sabtu
Director Director of Special Duties
Head of Media and Publicity Secretariat
Ministry of Finance
14th Floor, Ministry of Finance Complex
Jalan Kebangsaan
Bandar Seri Begawan BB 3910
Brunei Darussalam
Tel: +673 2383749
Fax: +673 2383787
e-mail: CFMM2003.mediasec@brunet.bn

ACCREDITATION

Media representatives wishing to cover the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting must be accredited in order to have access to the facilities. Accreditation will be handled by the Commonwealth Secretariat, London. Applications for accreditation must be made on the attached form or on photocopies made from it. One passport sized photograph must be included with the application. Passes will be issued by the Media and Publicity Secretariat, Ministry of Finance, Brunei Darussalam and can be collected upon arrival at the Help Desk at the Airport.

Your application must be accompanied by a hardcopy letter on an original company letterhead indicating your role, signed by an Economics Editor, News Editor or equivalent senior editor, confirming the applicant has been assigned to cover CFMM 2003.

AIRPORT ARRIVALS AND ENTRY

Media representatives entering Brunei Darussalam should be in possession of a valid passport.

German, Malaysian, Singaporean, British nationals with the right of abode in the United Kingdom and New Zealand nationals are exempted from the requirement to obtain a visa for visits not exceeding 30 days. American passport holders can enter Brunei Darussalam for three months without visas. For nationals of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Indonesia, Japan, Luxembourg, Republic of Maldives, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and the Principality of Liechtenstein, visas are waived for 14-day visits. Australian nationals are issued visas on arrival at the Brunei International Airport for visits not exceeding 14 days. All other nationals entering Brunei Darussalam must have visas obtainable from any Brunei Darussalam diplomatic missions abroad.

NB: For more details, please contact your nearest Brunei Embassy or diplomatic representative.

MEDIA CENTRE

A general work area will be provided in the Media Centre at the ICC for journalists and broadcasters. The work area will be equipped with work desks, PCs with internet access printers and telephones.

The power supply in Brunei Darussalam is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles

ACCOMMODATION

Journalists are required to book and pay for their own accommodation. The following hotel has been appointed:

The Centrepoint Hotel (Contact Ms. Mary Sigar, Duty Manager)

Abdul Razak Complex

Gadong BE 3519

Brunei Darussalam



Tel: 673-2430430

Fax: 673-2430200

E-mail: centrepoint@arhbrunei.com

Website: www.arhbrunei.com



TRANSPORTATION

Shuttle buses will be provided from the media hotel to the ICC and vice-versa for the duration of the meeting. For further details, please contact the Media and Publicity Secretariat.

MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS

Medical facilities will be available to media for the duration of the CFMM 2003. Media personnel should make appropriate arrangements for Insurance to cover emergency medical, surgical or hospital expenses.

CUSTOMS

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







CURRENCY REGULATIONS

Brunei currency is on par with the Singapore dollar. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that may be brought in or taken out of the country.

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

A foreign exchange facility will be allocated at the venue of the meeting.

The local currency is Brunei dollars and cents. Dollar notes are available in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $50, $100, $1000 and $10,000. Coins are in 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents denominations.

Airport Tax

The airport tax is B$12.00.

Time

Brunei Darussalam is eight (8) hours ahead of GMT.





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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int