BY James Kon

Strengthening cooperation in areas including agriculture and fisheries, food, downstream and tourism between Brunei Darussalam and Oman were highlighted during the Brunei Darussalam-Oman Joint Committee Meeting at The Empire Brunei on Monday.

The meeting was co-chaired by Permanent Secretary (Economy) at the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE) Dr Hajah May Fa’ezah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin and Undersecretary of Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry Dr Saleh bin Saeed Al-Masn.

According to the MoFE, the two sides alluded the long established and warm relations at the highest level between the government as well as private sectors during the meeting.

As Brunei and Oman work towards achieving the targets of its national aspirations – Brunei Vision 2035 and Oman Vision 2040 – the meeting acknowledged the potential to collaborate on areas that will enhance bilateral economic, trade and investment relations for mutual benefit. Dr Saleh and members of the Omani delegation also visited Golden Corporation Sdn Bhd and toured the company’s seafood processing facilities.

The meeting was also joined by Ambassador of Oman to Brunei Darussalam Sheikh Ahmed bin Hashel Al-Maskari as well as other representatives from Oman including from its Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Investment Promotion, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Wealth and Water Resources, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Also present were officials from government agencies and entities in the Sultanate, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Brunei Investment Agency and the Brunei Economic Development Board.

The Brunei Darussalam–Oman Joint Committee, established in 2010, aims to develop and promote greater economic cooperation between the two countries as well as their private sectors.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin