| Hakim Hayat |
UNITED States’ Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Craig Allen, hosted an event to celebrate the 241st Independence Day of the United States at the Indera Samudra Grand Hall at The Empire Hotel & Country Club in Jerudong yesterday evening.
The event, carrying the theme ‘Hawaii – Spirit of Aloha’, was attended by the guest of honour, Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar.
Government officials, mem-bers of the diplomatic comm-unity, business executives, media representatives, and other guests were also present.
The ambassador, on the similarities between Hawaii and Brunei, said, “Like Brunei, Hawaii has a wonderfully warm and hospitable culture and is superb at welcoming visitors and making them feel at home. In this day and age where people talk about our differences, I feel it is important to instead focus on how we are the same. No matter what race, religion, politics, or location, fundamentally we hold the same values, such as compassion, hospitality, and respect.”
The ambassador also praised the long standing and deep rooted friendship the US and Brunei have shared for many decades. “We have been treaty partners since 1850 – 172 years ago. We’ve built on our relationship over the years, and we’re proud of our collaboration,” he said.
He also looked back at some of the many cooperations both countries shared in different sectors over the past year including in military exercises, combating human trafficking, engagement with Brunei’s local communities, people-to-people engagement through flagship programmes like Fulbright, and through the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).
He also shared that US-Brunei trade and economic relations expanded significantly in 2016 reaching new heights. “I have full confidence that our bilateral partnership will continue to produce dividends for both the Bruneian and the American people in the years ahead. We will continue to work hard on every file within our diplomatic portfolio to expand the relationship between our countries in a practical, pragmatic and meaningful manner. Indeed, our two countries have consistently had positive relations at the highest levels of government for many decades, and we are assured that this will continue for many years to come. As Asia-Pacific partners with a long and glorious history of cooperation, friendship and mutual support, we have every expectation to see the United States and Brunei continuing to build, prosper and defend our mutual interests,” he concluded.
As a gift of appreciation, the US Ambassador presented the guest of honour with a Leiomano, a traditional Hawaiian implement adorned with shark teeth.
The event was enlivened with special performances by Brunei-based band, Hawai’iFever. The national anthems of the Brunei Darussalam and the United States were performed by Bruneian international singer Maria Grace Koh.
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