6 deals likely to be signed during PM's Brunei trip

Bangladesh and Brunei are likely to sign six memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to boost trade and investment ties during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's three-day visit (April 21-23) to the Southeast Asian country.

Briefing reporters at the foreign ministry, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen yesterday said the six MoUs are on scientific and technological cooperation in agriculture, arts and culture, youth and sports, fisheries, livestock and energy sectors.

The visit is significant and will bring a positive result, he said. It will help expand bilateral cooperation in a number of areas including trade, investment, energy, human resource development, tourism, agriculture and technical cooperation.

Momen said the visit will also help improve Bangladesh's relations with Southeast Asian nations. Brunei is one of the member states of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

It will also help Bangladesh gain effective support from Brunei and other Southeast Asian nations on various regional and international issues including resolving Rohingya crisis, he said.

The PM will leave for Brunei Darussalam on Sunday at the invitation of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

The minister said the PM will lead a large delegation, including a business team, to explore trade and investment opportunities in Bangladesh. Brunei has already expressed its keen interest to invest in Bangladesh.

Momen said Brunei is an important partner of Bangladesh in the international arena as the country is member of both the OIC and Asean. The PM will discuss with the Brunei government about safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees, he added.

Secretary (Bilateral and Consular) to the Foreign Ministry Kamrul Ahsan and Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) Rear Admiral (retd) Md Khurshed Alam and other senior officials of the ministry were present.