She made the call when the out-going envoy of Brunei Darussalam Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Md Daud, made a farewell call on her at the Prime Minister's Office.

Trade, investment and the progress of establishing direct air link between Bangladesh and Brunei as per an agreement signed between the two countries during Khaleda Zia's visit to Brunei last year was discussed at the meeting.

The Prime Minister said export of Bangladeshi goods, including ceramics, pharmaceuticals, vegetables and fruits will increase after direct air link is established. It will also enhance people to people contact, she added.

An expert delegation from Brunei visited Dhaka in September last and another delegation from Bangladesh is due to visit Brunei in this regard.

Referring to more than 10,000 Bangladeshis, including doctors, teachers and engineers, working in Brunei, she said Brunei can take more Bangladeshi manpower to meet Brunei's requirements.

The envoy appreciated Bangladeshi workers saying they are had working.

The embargo on the recruitment of Bangladeshi manpower in Brunei was lifted following Khaleda Zia's last year's visit to that country.

With Prime Minister seeking more investment from Brunei, the envoy, who will leave Dhaka on November 9 to join his next assignment in the foreign ministry, said he will make effort in this direction.

He appreciated the 'tremendous' progress made by Bangladesh during the period of his tenure here from September 2001 and said the standard of living of the people has increased under the leadership of Khaleda Zia.

Bangladesh has emerged as an important country in the international arena, he said. As a close friend with many commonalties, Brunei takes pride in Bangladesh's advancement, he added.

Khaleda inquired about the wellbeing of Sultan Hassal Al Balkiah and renewed her invitation to him to visit Bangladesh. She thanked the Sultan and the people of Brunei for their hospitality during her visit last year and hoped the Sultan will visit Bangladesh soon.

The envoy expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister and her government for their cooperation in discharging the duties during his tenure in Bangladesh.