| Hakim Hayat |
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 in a titah last evening praised the over five decades of close relationship between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore enjoy, while indicating the Sultanate’s commitment to bolster the scope of cooperation with the neighbouring country.
The monarch delivered the titah at Istana Nurul Iman on the occasion of a State Banquet hosted by His Majesty and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam, in honour of Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore, who is on a four-day State Visit to Brunei. This is the Singaporean President’s first overseas visit since taking office last October.
Brunei and Singapore, His Majesty said, have for many years enjoyed a friendship that is built on a foundation of mutual trust and understanding and common interest, citing the success of the currency inter-exchangeability agreement that has reached its 50th anniversary last year, the signing of two new documents on cooperation in the financial sector yesterday and also cooperation in various sectors.
The new Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) will allow both countries to exchange information related to money laundering and terrorist financing and boost innovation in financial services.
His Majesty believes that these arrangements provide a solid base on which financial institutions, the private sector and investors alike would be able to cooperate and benefit. “I am happy that we are seeing increasing interest in business and investments from Singapore,” the monarch noted.
His Majesty also mentioned the establishment of joint ventures in the services and manufacturing sectors, and more recently in aquaculture, adding that Brunei’s participation in trade fairs and exhibitions has helped strengthen and develop Bruneian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the transfer of technology, skills and knowledge.
In the area of education, His Majesty said he is pleased to note that both countries have benefitted from capacity building, exchanges of expertise and cooperation in sharing best practices.
In the defence field, the monarch said the interactions between defence officials from both countries serve as an important pillar in bilateral ties, while expressing his pleasure to have the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in Brunei.
The Singaporean President will meet with SAF personnel undergoing jungle training in Laikun Camp in the Temburong District today.
His Majesty described the Brunei-Singapore relationship as “special” and “unique”, which he said is underpinned by the strong people-to-people ties, for instance through a leadership exchange programme between the two countries called the Young Leaders Programme. “It will enable our next generation of leaders to get to know and understand one another better and continue to bring our two countries closer together,” His Majesty added.
The monarch also conveyed Brunei’s full support to Singapore in its Chairmanship of Asean this year and expressed hope that the strong relationship shared by both countries, which is founded on deep trust and understanding, will aid in the prosperity of the two countries.
His Majesty said that the visit by the President will further enhance relations and later expressed his commitment to continue to build on the much-valued ties.
Meanwhile, in her reply speech, the Singaporean President shared the same sentiment with His Majesty on ties between the two countries, and said she looks forward to explore new areas of cooperation.
She also reminisced the friendship between Brunei and Singapore that she said dates back to the close personal ties between the late Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam and Lee Kuan Yew.
“They recognised that as small countries, Singapore and Brunei share many similarities and a strategic outlook on many regional and international issues. I am heartened that this friendship has remained steadfast, especially in today’s uncertain and complex world,” she said, highlighting that bilateral relations have grown from strength to strength.
“This foundation,” she said “has made it possible for our two countries to enjoy strong and deep cooperation in many areas such as the defence and financial sectors”.
She also expressed her satisfaction that Brunei and Singapore continue to break new ground in other areas, citing the signing of MoUs yesterday.
She also shared that both countries have already concluded an MoU on Info-Communications Media to facilitate study visits between the respective ministries, to allow officials on both sides to have closer collaboration in areas of mutual interest and bring benefits to both countries.
She also highlighted the potential for Brunei and Singapore to further enhance economic cooperation, including in aquaculture where a Singaporean company has inked an agreement with Brunei in developing a 6,600-hectare barramundi fish farm in the Sultanate which will pave the way for an estimated 40,000 tonnes of fish to be exported to Singapore. “We look forward to buying Brunei-grown barramundi, and hopefully in the near future even more Brunei-made products,” she said.
“On behalf of the people of Singapore, we thank you for your unwavering support for our two countries’ long-standing friendship and excellent ties. We look forward to continue working closely with Your Majesty and all of our Bruneian friends to ensure that the special bonds between Singapore and Brunei endure and flourish at all levels in the years ahead,” she said.
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