Brunei, Bangladesh Agree to Establish a Joint Committee

Brunei Darussalam and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh have expressed satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations and close cooperation enjoyed in various fields.  Both countries share common perceptions on major regional and international affairs and continue to work together in the United Nations and in other forums like the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Commonwealth.

This was stated in a joint statement issued at the end of the official visit of the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Her Excellency Begum Khaleda Zia, Monday.  The joint statement says that the visit demonstrated the importance that Brunei Darussalam and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh attach to strengthening traditional friendship and cooperation in socio-economic developments, in an environment of peace and stability.

During the official talks, bilateral and international matters of common interest and concern were discussed.  These included cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, labour and defence. The Bangladesh side offered places for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces in the defence services command and Staff College and other military institutions in Bangladesh.

In considering cooperation in economics, trade and investment, the two sides agreed to expand trade relations. 

Brunei Darussalam agreed to encourage its private sector to invest in and import from Bangladesh.  Considering the active role of Bangladeshi manpower in the development process of Brunei Darussalam, the latter agreed to consider the request to recruit more skilled and semi-skilled workers including professionals of different disciplines.  Brunei Darussalam offered scholarships under the Commonwealth for Bangladesh students in the higher educational institutions, including the Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

In order to create and manage an environment that will encourage such cooperation, the two sides agreed to establish a joint committee consisting of senior officials from both Foreign Ministries.  It was agreed that the joint committee would discuss all aspects pertaining to the formation of a Joint Commission at the Foreign Ministers’ level.

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Her Excellency Begum Khaleda Zia, expressed her sincere appreciation to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam, for the support for the candidature of Bangladesh for the post of the Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and Bangladesh’s membership to the ASEAN Regional Forum, ARF.