IN LIGHT of the upcoming International Photojournalists Meet and Photo Competition 2008 in conjunction with His Majesty Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's 62nd birthday celebrations, several companies yesterday showed their support for the competition jointly organised by The Brunei Times Sdn Bhd and the Information Department under the Prime Minister's Office yesterday.

Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd, GHK Motors Sdn Bhd, Sahid Sdn Bhd and TSL Construction Sdn Bhd were the four companies which will be sponsoring the competition, including financing the expenses involved for 11 international photojournalists to travel to Brunei Darussalam to cover various activities in conjunction with His Majesty's birthday.

Out to capture the unique culture, natural heritage and lifestyle of the people of Brunei for the duration of their stay in the Sultanate are participants from Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as those from Brunei.

Cash prizes will be up for grabs for the three best photos for each of the four themes: Grand festivities of His Majesty's 62nd birthday celebrations, our people, our cultural heritage, and our respect for the environment.

There will also be winners for the Best Photography Award for Overall Best Entry and Overall Best Student Entry Award.

The competition is aimed at raising Brunei Darussalam's profile in international media circles while creating interest and inspiring Bruneians to take up photography as a hobby or even as a profession.

A commemorative book made up of a compilation of the entries will be presented later to His Majesty as a gift.

Present to sign the agreement to sponsor the event on behalf of Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd was its managing director, Dr Grahaeme Henderson; on behalf of GHK Motors Sdn Bhd was its managing director, Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin; on behalf of Sahid Sdn Bhd was its managing director, Pg Adanan PSI Hj Ismail; and on behalf of TSL Construction Sdn Bhd was its chairman, Hj Awang Damit Hj Awang Osman.

Also present were senior government officials and representatives from embassies and High Commissions to Brunei Darussalam. Haji Bujang, co-chair of the organising committee expressed his deepest thanks to the sponsors for their support and commitment.

The International Photojournalists Meet and Photo Competition 2008, according to Dr Grahaeme Henderson, is a major initiative that would celebrate His Majesty's birthday in an especially memorable way.

He also saw it as a way of supporting Brunei Darussalam's economic diversification initiatives, particularly in the tourism sector.

Drawing great interest from 21 international photojournalists, the event is also supported by the Brunei Photographic Society and the Brunei Darussalam Association of Photographers. The Brunei Times