Five agreements, MoUs likely to be signed during Brunei Sultan’s visit

Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh and Brunei are likely to sign at least five agreements and memorandum of understandings (MoU) including direct flights between the two countries, employment of Bangladeshi workers in Brunei and certification of sailors working on sea-going ships during Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah first ever state visit in Dhaka from October 15-17. The Sultan will make the maiden visit upon an invitation from the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
Briefing to media, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said, “Several issues will be discussed. Along with bilateral discussions on several issues, we (Bangladesh-Brunei) are likely to sign three MoU.”
The MOUs are on bilateral aviation agreement, Bangladeshi manpower recruitment cooperation and the recognition of Mariners’ certificates by the two countries, the Foreign Minister said.
 President Abdul Hamid will receive the Brunei Sultan at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Though the visit was finalized in April 2020, the tour was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Foreign Minister said.
“We have discussed with the Brunei authority about the import of fuel. Progress has been made in this regard during the discussion,” Momen said.
About 20,000-25,000 Bangladeshi workers are currently working there in Brunei, the Foreign Minister said adding that the issue of employing more Bangladeshi workers in Brunei will get priority during the upcoming visit of Brunei’s Sultan.
Brunei Sultan will visit Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32 to pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Sultan will also visit the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar during his visit.
Hassanal Bolkiah will hold meetings with President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Earlier iIn April 2019, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Brunei at the invitation of the Brunei Sultan.
 During the visit, six MoUs were signed to strengthen bilateral ties between both friendly countries.
The implementation of these MoUs will be given importance during the visit of Brunei Sultan to Bangladesh.