BRUNEI Darussalam and the State of Kuwait have affirmed their efforts to support expanding social and economic cooperation between the two countries by exploring mutually beneficial opportunities, such as in the fields of trade, economic and investment, oil and gas, education, tourism, information technology, private sector linkages and Islamic affairs.
During an audience at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, expressed satisfaction with the warm and friendly relations shared between the two countries, and agreed to further strengthen these much-valued ties.
According to a joint statement issued following the audience, His Majesty and His Highness the Amir of Kuwait witnessed the signing of several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Government of Brunei Darussalam and the Government of the State of Kuwait. These were the MoU in the field of higher education and scientific research; MoU on tourism cooperation; agreement on mutual exemption on visa for diplomatic holders, special and official passports; protocol amending the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income; MoU on establishing a joint commission for cooperation; and MoU between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait on training.
His Majesty and His Highness the Amir of Kuwait welcomed the signing of the agreements and MoUs as a positive step in further elevating and deepening bilateral engagement.
His Highness the Amir of Kuwait is making his first state visit to Brunei Darussalam from October 11-12 at the invitation of His Majesty.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait during the welcoming ceremony.
His Majesty and His Highness the Amir of Kuwait; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; and His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah upon arrival at the Istana Nurul Iman.
His Highness the Amir of Kuwait introduced to Brunei Cabinet Ministers and senior officials. – PHOTOS: INFOFOTO
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait proceed to the MoU and agreement signing ceremonies.
His Majesty; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, Royal-in-Attendance; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Upon arrival at Istana Nurul Iman, His Majesty and His Highness the Amir of Kuwait proceeded to the royal dais to receive the royal salute, which was followed by the national anthems of both countries and a 21-royal gun salute.
His Highness the Amir of Kuwait was then introduced to members of the royal family; state dignitaries; Cabinet Ministers; deputy ministers; the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; the Commissioner of Police; foreign envoys in Brunei Darussalam; as well as permanent secretaries at the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
His Majesty was then introduced to members of the delegation of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait. The delegation includes Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and senior officials of ministerial rank from the State of Kuwait.
Shortly after, a general audience ceremony was held at Cheradi Laila Kenchana. Also present at the audience ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, Royal-in-Attendance; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as other members of the royal family.
Also attending the general audience ceremony were Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah; senior officials of ministerial rank from the State of Kuwait; and Dr Fahad Mashary Al-Thafiri, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Brunei Darussalam.
Both heads of state also exchanged views on regional and international issues including the outcomes of the 2nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit that was held in Bangkok on October 9-10; as well as the latest developments in the Middle East region, stressing the importance of complying with the United Nations Security Council’s Resolutions to achieve just and lasting peace for the Palestinian cause.
They also discussed the situation in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. His Majesty expressed appreciation to the State of Kuwait for hosting Yemen peace talks under the umbrella of the United Nations, in order to find a political solution.
His Majesty also commended the State of Kuwait for its contributions in the humanitarian field and in hosting many humanitarian donor conferences for Syria.
In recognition of the State of Kuwait’s role in preserving international peace and stability, His Majesty expressed Brunei Darussalam’s support for the State of Kuwait’s candidature to be a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2018 – 2019 period.
His Highness the Amir of Kuwait expressed his appreciation to His Majesty for the gracious and generous hospitality accorded to him and the members of his delegation during their stay in Brunei Darussalam.
His Majesty welcoming His Highness the Amir of Kuwait upon his arrival at the Brunei International Airport. Also seen in photo is His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik as Royal-in-Attendance. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah.
Kuwait senior officials at the audience.
Meanwhile, His Majesty earlier yesterday welcomed His Highness the Amir of Kuwait who is in the country on a two-day state visit, at the Brunei International Airport.
His Highness the Amir of Kuwait and delegation landed at the Brunei International Airport in the afternoon on a special aircraft. Upon disembarking, His Highness the Amir of Kuwait was greeted by His Majesty.
Present at the Brunei International Airport to also welcome His Highness the Amir of Kuwait and delegation was His Majesty’s son, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, as Royal-in-Attendance.
Also present was Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, Minister of Education as the Minister-in-Attendance; and Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II.
His Majesty and His Highness the Amir of Kuwait walked past the static guard mounted by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
His Majesty and His Highness the Amir of Kuwait departed the Brunei International Airport for the official welcoming ceremony and guard of honour for His Highness the Amir of Kuwait at the Istana Nurul Iman.
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