Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is in Dhaka on a three-day visit, are holding a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Dhaka on Sunday — Focus Bangla Brunei has agreed to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other petroleum products to Bangladesh, officials said after a bilateral meeting between the two countries on Sunday.
Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who visited Bangladesh on October 15-16, gave the consent during his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
This was the first-ever visit by a Head of State of Brunei Darussalam to Bangladesh.
The official talks between the Sultan of Brunei and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, where the two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, according to a joint statement - issued after the meeting.
In view of Bangladesh's growing demand for energy and Brunei's position as a stable and key regional exporter of energy, both the leaders agreed to explore mechanisms for long-term collaboration in the energy sector, particularly in supplying LNG and other petroleum products, the statement said.
A MoU on energy cooperation was also signed between the two countries in the presence of the two leaders.
The leaders witnessed signing of four bilateral instruments and expressed their expectations for quick implementation of the provisions as envisaged in those instruments.
The MoUs were on - air services; employment/-recruitment of Bangladeshi workers; recognition of certificates issued under the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended; and field of cooperation in supply of LNG and other petroleum products.
Both sides identified trade and investment as areas of vital bilateral cooperation, and expressed their keenness to increase the volume of two-way trade, which is currently far below the potential.
The countries also welcomed discussions to explore the possibility of a mechanism between the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Brunei to widen cooperation in trade, commerce and investment as well as to seek support for enhanced business-to-business relations.
Both the leaders also agreed to deepen collaboration in the field of 'halal' trade.
Bangladesh offered Brunei the opportunities for investment in its special economic zones (SEZs). Brunei took note of the offer and looked forward to discuss potential areas of investment cooperation for mutual benefit of both the countries.
Brunei also invited Bangladesh to consider investing in its economic diversification activities, such as food, agriculture and aquaculture industries.
Brunei and Bangladesh agreed to discuss the possibility of recruiting more workers, including skilled workforce and professionals, from Bangladesh to Brunei in the relevant sectors.
Both sides also agreed to conduct the recruitment process in a transparent, orderly and ethical manner.
Recalling the respective MoUs on agriculture, livestock and fisheries cooperation - signed in 2019, both the sides acknowledged the ongoing discussion between the relevant authorities in the countries to explore potential projects under the MoUs.
The countries looked forward to the Joint Agriculture Working Committee (JAWC) - to be held in Brunei in November - to progress this further.
In the context of Bangladesh's growing capacity in the healthcare sector as well as Brunei's capacity for modern and advanced medical infrastructure, both the sides noted the importance of signing a MoU on health sector cooperation for recruitment and training of healthcare professionals, specialised services and pharmaceutical services as well as other potential areas of cooperation.
The two leaders also agreed to work in new and emerging areas, including ICT, green technology, blue economy, etc, for mutual benefit.
Both sides stressed the need for air and maritime connectivity to enhance trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people contact, and agreed to encourage the private sector operators to become involved for ensuring better connectivity between the two countries.
Bangladesh expressed gratitude to Brunei for its political support towards expeditious repatriation of over a million displaced people from the Rakhine State, temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh, in a safe, secure, sustainable and dignified manner.
The country acknowledged contribution of the Bangladeshi expatriates to its continued development process.
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