Azlan Othman
Foreign investors have expressed interest in developing and upgrading Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park, said Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad at yesterday’s 19th Legislative Council (LegCo) session.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub inquired on the steps taken to promote the attraction, which is an ASEAN Heritage Park.
In his reply, the minister noted that the Museums Department and the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) have received interest from foreign investors, adding that the proposals are being considered by the relevant agencies.
The park is part of the Heart of Borneo initiative and will be preserved as an ASEAN Heritage Park, which will require concerted effort from the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe) which is the focal agency for coordination with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, said the minister.
The minister also noted that the park has potential for ecotourism and science education and research for both local and foreign experts.
The minister noted that students from the United Kingdom conducted a study there, while the park also regularly conducts programmes such as the Young Naturalists and the Borneo Bird Race.
The minister said between 2015-2022, the park recieved 12,661 visitors, with over 3,300 visitors in 2015.Recent years have seen a drop in visitors, due to floods, renovations and the COVID-19 pandemic, said the minister, adding there was a 51 per cent decrease compared to 2020.
