Diplomatic efforts under the Foreign Offices of Bangladesh and Brunei are underway to sign a number of important agreements ahead of the forthcoming visit of Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah with focus on energy sector this time in particular. The long-drawn visit of Brunei Sultan to Bangladesh in the middle of October this year is expected to augur stronger bilateral ties between the two brotherly nation……..
Foreign office sources said the two nations will agree on collaboration in the burgeoning energy sector as part of maintaining energy security. Earlier in April 2019, Bangladesh and Brunei signed a two-year deal to cooperate in energy sector with the contract getting expired in April 2021. However, experts are of the belief that the countries are likely to renew that agreement during the ensuing visit of Brunei Sultan.
Also, you can read: India – Bangladesh Joint Statement during the State Visit of Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen during his latest visit to the Bangladesh High Commission in Brunei said, “The visit is aimed at heralding a new era in the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brunei.” However, he noted, the exact time to this effect is yet to be set.
The two countries had their second Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) meeting held last week. Experts think the Senior Secretary of Bangladesh government and his conversation reflected the optimism surrounding the event’s success and enthusiasm.
The two nations agreed to facilitate greater collaboration and synergy between their respective private sectors and entrepreneurs as part of maximising the untapped potentials. The latest round of FOC, however, covered the full range of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brunei, including business and commerce, investments, agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, livestock, health, transportation, defence, energy, education, culture, youth, and sport, among others.
In the latest meeting, the two parties discussed the contribution that the Bangladeshi migrant workers have made to both countries. To the benefits of both Brunei and Bangladesh, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen proposed sending more Bangladeshis there. He also talked about the significant demographic dividend that Bangladesh is currently enjoying.
The Brunei side had their expression of interest to hire more for their upcoming megaprojects from among the Bangladeshi labour force. On the other side, Masud Bin Momen representing the Bangladesh side stressed the necessity for a safe, orderly, and regular migration while expressing optimism about swiftly signing the proposed MoU on hiring Bangladeshi human resources in Brunei.
Both sides expressed satisfaction over current bilateral engagements and reaffirmed their commitment towards expanding bilateral ties for common benefit. Both parties also agreed to keep up their regular institutional engagement procedures to maintain the progress in bilateral relations while praising the productive and in-depth discussions.
The Bangladesh Foreign Secretary emphasised the remarkable socioeconomic achievements in Bangladesh under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while discussing Bangladesh’s readiness for LDC graduation. For Bangladesh to continue on its path of prosperity, he asked for ongoing international support – notably from Brunei.
Both Bangladesh and Brunei had their expectations for expanded and deepened cooperation in areas like trade, commerce, culture, defence, education, human resources and investment, food processing, ICT, shipbuilding, tourism, infrastructure development, pharmaceuticals, jute products, etc.
