At least four bilateral cooperation documents regarding supply of fuel oil, labour exports, and the launching of a direct flight between Dhaka and Bandar Seri Begawan are likely to be signed during the first-ever state visit of Brunei Darussalam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah to Bangladesh from October 14-16.
During his stay in Dhaka, the Brunei Sultan will call on President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Earlier, Sheikh Hasina paid an official visit to Brunei Darussalam from April 21-23, 2019. She also sent 900kgs of “Amrapali” mangoes as a gift for the Brunei Sultan.
In late August, the two countries held the second Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Bandar Seri Begawan, and agreed to facilitate greater collaboration and synergy between the private sectors and entrepreneurs of the two countries to fully harness untapped potential.
The consultations were co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Permanent Secretary of Brunei Darussalam Pengiran Norhashimah Binti Pengiran Mohd Hassan. Bangladesh High Commissioner Nahida Rahman was present at the meeting.
The issue of energy cooperation prominently featured in the bilateral discussions in the context of the severe supply chain disruptions owing to the volatility and uncertainties caused by the pandemic and conflicts in different parts of the world, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two sides acknowledged the valuable contribution made by Bangladeshi migrant workers to both Bangladesh and Brunei. Currently, around 15,000 Bangladeshis are working in different sectors in Brunei.
If the direct flight is launched, the cost of sending migrant workers to Brunei will come down significantly, according to Foreign Ministry sources.
Expressing optimism over the signing of the proposed MoU on the recruitment of Bangladeshi human resources in Brunei, Foreign Secretary Masud underscored the need for safe, orderly, and regular migration.
The Brunei side expressed their keenness for recruiting more Bangladeshi workers in their upcoming mega projects.
Both sides agreed to further explore the potential for cooperation in the areas of food processing, ICT, shipbuilding, tourism, infrastructure development, pharmaceuticals and jute products, etc. Bangladesh sought Bruneian support for developing and promoting the Halal trade sector in Bangladesh.
An Asean member, Brunei also assured of all possible cooperation to solve the Rohingya crisis through early repatriation.
