Bangladesh, Brunei finalise three bilateral documents

Bangladesh and Brunei agreed on Sunday to sign three finalised bilateral documents to strengthen ties between the two countries, reports UNB.

All the finalised instruments are likely to be signed during a VVIP-level visit next year, said an official.

The issues were discussed broadly at the first ever Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between the Foreign Secretaries of Bangladesh and Brunei held at the State guesthouse Meghna in the city.

Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque led the Bangladesh delegation while Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Hajah Siti Norishan Haji Abdul Ghafor led the Brunei side.

The agreed bilateral documents are memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Cultural and Arts Cooperation; MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Youth and Sports; and MoU on Scientific and Technical Cooperation in Agriculture.

Brunei has also agreed for an "exchange of notes" for the exemption of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports as well as expediting the proposed draft MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Fisheries and Air Services Agreement by Bangladesh.

In order to increase bilateral trade, both countries emphasised the need for exploring new areas and to consider the possibility of preferential arrangement and regular consultative mechanism.

Brunei has expressed keen interest to invest in the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) for intermediary products which will be taken to Brunei for further value addition for exporting to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other world markets.