Brunei has agreed to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other petroleum products to Bangladesh, according to a joint statement between Bangladesh and Brunei Darussalam.
The joint statement was issued on Sunday evening on the state visit of Brunei Darussalam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah to Bangladesh.
The official talks between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and visiting Brunei Sultan was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, where the two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, the joint statement said.
In view of Bangladesh's growing demand for energy and Brunei Darussalam's standing as a stable and key regional exporter of energy, both leaders agreed to explore mechanisms for long-term collaboration in the energy sector, particularly in the supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and other petroleum products to Bangladesh, the joint statement said.
An MoU was also signed on energy cooperation between the two countries in the presence of the two leaders.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of four bilateral instruments and expressed their expectations for the early implementation of the provisions as envisaged in those instruments:
The MoUs are; the Air Services Agreement; MoU on the Employment/Recruitment of Bangladeshi Workers; MoU on the Recognition of Certificates Issued Under the Provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers 1978, as Amended; and on the Field of Cooperation in the Supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)and other Petroleum Products.
Both sides identified trade and investment as areas of vital bilateral cooperation and expressed their keenness to work to increase the volume of two-way trade, which is currently far below the potential.
The two countries also welcomed discussions to explore the possibility of a mechanism between the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Brunei Darussalam to widen cooperation in trade, commerce and investment, as well as to seek support for enhanced business-to-business relations and cooperation.
Both leaders also agreed to deepen collaboration in the field of Halal trade.
Bangladesh offered Brunei Darussalam the advantages of the opportunities for investment in the Special Economic Zones of Bangladesh. Brunei Darussalam took note of the offer and looked forward to discussing potential areas of investment cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Brunei Darussalam also invited Bangladesh to consider investing in its economic diversification activities, such as in the food, agriculture and aquaculture industries.
Brunei Darussalam acknowledged the contribution of the Bangladeshi expatriates in its continued development process.
Brunei Darussalam and Bangladesh agreed to discuss the possibility of recruiting more workers, including skilled workforce and professionals from Bangladesh to Brunei Darussalam in the relevant sectors, where necessary.
Both sides agreed to govern the recruitment process in a transparent, orderly and ethical manner.
Recalling the respective MoUs on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Cooperation signed in 2019, both sides acknowledged the ongoing discussion between the relevant authorities in both countries to explore potential projects under these MoUs.
Both sides looked forward to the convening of the Joint Agriculture Working Committee (JAWC) to be held in November this year in Brunei Darussalam to progress this further.
In the context of Bangladesh's growing capacity in the healthcare sector, as well as Brunei Darussalam's capacity for modern and advanced medical infrastructures, both sides noted the importance of signing an MoU on health sector cooperation for the recruitment and training of healthcare professionals, specialised services and pharmaceutical services, as well as other potential areas of cooperation that may be of mutual benefit to both countries.
The two leaders also agreed to work in new and emerging areas including ICT, green technology, blue economy, etc. for mutual benefit.
The two countries stressed the need for air and maritime connectivity to enhance trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people contacts and agreed to encourage the private sector operators to become involved for better connectivity between the two countries.
Bangladesh expressed gratitude to Brunei Darussalam for its political support for the expeditious repatriation of over a million displaced persons from the Rakhine State, temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh, in a safe, secure, sustainable and dignified manner.
Brunei Darussalam Sultan made the state visit to Bangladesh on October 15-16 at the invitations of Bangladesh President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
This was the first-ever visit by a head of state of Brunei Darussalam to Bangladesh. The Sultan was received at the airport by Bangladesh President and accorded a ceremonial guard of honour.
He paid tribute to the memories of the martyred Liberation War heroes of 1971 of Bangladesh.
During the visit, the Sultan met with Bangladesh President at Bangabhaban, who hosted a banquet in his honour.
Waddaulah held official talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr AK Abdul Momen paid a courtesy call on the Brunei Sultan at his place of residence in Dhaka.
