His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended meetings with Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina; witnessed the signing ceremony of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the Government of His Majesty and the Government of Bangladesh; and visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

The arrival of His Majesty at the Office of the Prime Minister in Dhaka was welcomed by the Bangladeshi prime minister.

During the meeting, His Majesty and the prime minister addressed bilateral relations between Brunei and Bangladesh as well as cooperation between the countries through the signing of three MoUs in the fields of shipping, labour and energy and an agreement on air services.

The two leaders also discussed on the exploration of new opportunities for cooperation by both countries.

Following the bilateral meeting, His Majesty and the Bangladeshi prime minister witnessed the signing of three MoUs and an agreement between the Government of His Majesty and the Government of Bangladesh.

They were: an air services agreement (ASA); an MoU on the employment and recruitment of Bangladeshi workers; an MoU on the field of cooperation in the supply of liquified natural gas (LNG) and other petroleum products; and an MoU on the recognition of certificates under the terms of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, As Amended.

For the ASA, signing on behalf of the Government of His Majesty was Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, while the Government of Bangladesh was represented by State Minister at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali.

Under the MoU, Brunei and Bangladesh agree to establish and operate air services between the two countries in recognising the efficient and competitive services, thus enhance economic growth, trade, tourism, investment and the welfare of consumers as well acknowledging the importance of the service as a means of creating and fostering relations.

For the MoU on the employment and recruitment of Bangladeshi workers, signing on behalf of the Government of His Majesty was Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, while the Government of Bangladesh was represented by Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Imran Ahmad.

The objective of the MoU is to establish an effective mechanism to oversee the employment and recruitment of workers from Bangladesh and ensuring the rights and obligations of both workers and employers are enforced in accordance with the laws and regulations of Brunei Darussalam.

As for the MoU on the field of cooperation in the supply of liquified natural gas (LNG) and other petroleum products, signing on behalf of the Government of His Majesty was Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew, while the Government of Bangladesh was represented by MP, State Minister of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid.

The scope and idea for the extension of the MoU is for Brunei Energy Services and Trading (BEST) to identify opportunities to source LNG and other petroleum products such as LPG from third parties to be supplied to Bangladesh.

For the MoU on the recognition of certificates under the terms of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, As Amended, signing on behalf of the Government of His Majesty was Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew, while the Government of Bangladesh was represented by State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury.

The MoU will bilaterally recognise the training standards and certification issued by both parties and to allow seafarers from both nations to work onboard vessels that carry the Brunei or the Bangladeshi flag.

Before leaving the Prime Minister’s Office, His Majesty was bade farewell by the Bangladeshi prime minister.

Earlier in the afternoon, His Majesty visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and was greeted by Rehana Siddique, daughter of Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. His Majesty was then invited to place a wreath and toured the museum’s exhibitions.

The Bangabandhu Memorial Museum was once the personal residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father and president of Bangladesh. The house was inaugurated as a museum on August 14, 1994.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin