Izah Azahari
The French Bruneian Business Association (FBBA) hosted its annual get-together ceremony themed ‘A Whole New World’ at Serambi Suluh Hall, Tarindak D’Seni on Friday.
The event was organised to celebrate the presence and contribution of FBBA in Brunei Darussalam.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad was the guest of honour.
French Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Bernard Regnauld-Fabre and FBBA President Jerome Saniez were also present.
The minister said as a strategic partner as well as the main bridge between the French and Bruneian private sectors, FBBA achieved a significant impact, especially the local community, highlighting the recent series of high-level business talks and forums throughout the year covering national priorities, including an analysis of Brunei’s economic blueprint, employment and FBBA’s and the French community’s support in realising the vision for the post-2025 ASEAN Community as well as FBBA’s role in achieving the aspiration of Brunei Vision 2035.
“We recall the FBBA’s and the French community’s contribution to our most vulnerable, including the screening of the movie Intouchables for non-profit organisations under Brunei’s Council for the Welfare of Persons with Different Abilities (MKOKU) organised by the French Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, Alliance Francaise de Brunei Darussalam and FBBA in December 2020.”
The minister noted the sports development in the organisation of the French Pétanque Day at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex on the occasion of Bastille Day in 2021, bringing together teams from Alliance Francaise, FBBA and the Sports School, united in the spirit of competition and sportsmanship.
He added that the initiatives demonstrate the FBBA’s and French community’s dedication towards supporting the local community’s needs, especially the youth and vulnerable groups.
These are a vital part of the corporate social responsibility of French companies in the Sultanate, and are in line with the strategic objectives of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The minister urged to capitalise on the partnership and to continue to identify how to meaningfully work with each other to achieve the best for the community, especially those who need it the most.
“I am confident FBBA will continue to grow from strength to strength and will always have a crucial part to play in the welfare of the people of Brunei Darussalam,” he said.
The event also saw a souvenir presentation to the guest of honour by the French Ambassador and FBBA President Jerome Saniez.
FBBA members as well as senior government officials and representatives from the private sector also attended.
