| Hakim Hayat |
BRUNEI Darussalam and the Republic of Indonesia are committed to boosting bilateral relationship and simultaneously enhancing cooperation in various areas, following discussions at the 4th Meeting of Indonesia-Brunei Darussalam Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) held in Jakarta recently, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia.
In a joint press statement following the conclusion of the meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof and Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi, they highlighted that both countries have intensified negotiations of finalising the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the placement and protection of Indonesian workers in Brunei Darussalam which is expected to be concluded by the end of this year. In the field of economic cooperation, a business meeting was held for the first time on the sidelines of the JCBC meeting, which resulted in a MoU signed between Sriwijaya Air and Syarikat Kejuruteraan Bumiputera Belait Sdn Bhd to start flights from Bandar Seri Begawan to Balikpapan.
In the field of agriculture, cooperation in the development of new rice varieties called Sembada B9 and Sembada 188 will be implemented for food security of both countries, the statement noted.
In the health field, a joint group on health will be formed between both countries as a follow-up implementation of a MoU signed in 2015. Brunei and Indonesia also plan to increase cooperation in the pharmaceuticals sector, the statement added.
Also in the agenda of the meeting was improving cooperation in the field of tourism, not only in increasing connectivity but also investment, especially for the ‘New 10 Bali’ project in Indonesia which has been discussed between both countries.
Other matters discussed during the meeting include the commitment to boost cooperation in preventing and combating transnational organised crime such as human and drug trafficking as well as terrorism.
Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed appreciation for Brunei’s support for the Indo-Pacific Concept Paper from Indonesia which places great emphasis on ASEAN’s centrality and said that Indonesia also highly appreciates the support of Brunei when Indonesia was nominated as a member of the UN Security Council.
Retno added that the state visit of 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 earlier this year has provided a strong foundation for both countries to move forward to continue cooperation in various fields.
The Indonesia-Brunei Darussalam Joint Meeting of Bilateral Cooperation is a bilateral consultation forum aimed at exploring economic and business opportunities in both countries.