Prime Minister’s Visit to Brunei Successfully Concluded

PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah. Photo: VGP

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah right after meeting with members of the House of Bolkiah in Bandar Seri Begawan capital on February 11 morning, VNA reported.

Sultan Bolkiah affirmed that Brunei always treasures and wishes to keep developing its partnership with Vietnam, especially in economy, trade, investment, education and agriculture.

PM Chinh, for his part, conveyed the Vietnamese leaders’ regards to the Brunei Sultan and royal family. He underlined Vietnam’s consistent policy of valuing the development of comprehensive partnership with Brunei.

He expressed his belief that Brunei will soon realise the Brunei Vision 2035 (Wawasan Brunei 2035), becoming an economy with dynamic and sustainable development.

Both leaders spoke highly of the effective development of bilateral comprehensive partnership in various areas, from politics, national defence-security to economy, trade, investment, maritime cooperation, energy and education-training. In particular, two-way trade soared by 134% annually to USD 725.8 million last year.

At the meeting. Photo: VGP

In the near future, both sides will continue facilitating all-level visits, effectively implement the ministerial-level Bilateral Cooperation Committee and important cooperation agreements, especially the Action Plan on the implementation of Vietnam-Brunei comprehensive partnership for the 2023-2027 period, which was signed on the occasion.

They pledged to boost trade growth in a more diverse and balanced direction, consider the possibility of establishing a joint venture on the exploitation, cultivation and processing of aquatic products, as well as seek opportunities in new cooperation areas such as digital economy, circular economy and climate change response.

PM Chinh suggested Brunei create favourable conditions for Vietnamese goods to enter the country, particularly rice and farm produce meeting Halal standards. He also committed all possible support for Brunei enterprises to do business in Vietnam.

He also proposed increased coordination to connect the two economies together to build them into independent and self-reliant economies that widely and effectively integrate into the world.

Host and guest vowed to enhance collaboration in other important realms such as national defence-security and maritime activities, including maintaining the effectiveness of the hotline to support fisheries activities and share information on law enforcement at sea. They will also boost ties in education-training, tourism and connectivity as well as increase the frequency of direct commercial flights.

Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah drove Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife to visit the Royal Palace and attended the reception. Photo: VGP

On regional and global issues, they promised to continue with close coordination at regional and global forums, maintain solidarity and uphold the central role of ASEAN.

They reaffirmed the importance of peace, stability, safety, security and freedom of navigation in the East Sea; jointly maintain ASEAN’s solidarity and common stance on the East Sea issue, and strive for progress in negotiating a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

On the occasion, PM Chinh invited the Brunei Sultan and Queen to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time. The host accepted his invitation with pleasure and wished to visit Vietnam soon.

Concluding the talks, the leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of the Action Plan on the implementation of Vietnam-Brunei comprehensive partnership for the 2023-2027 period and a diplomatic note on visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders between Vietnam and Brunei.

At the signing and exchange of the Action Plan on the implementation of Vietnam-Brunei comprehensive partnership for the 2023-2027 period and a diplomatic note on visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders. Photo: VGP

The same day, PM Chinh held a roundtable discussion with Brunei energy and oil and gas enterprises in Bandar Seri Begawan capital.

Delegates discussed and proposed new business ideas and opportunities to lift bilateral economic, trade and investment ties, especially in energy and oil and gas.

PM Chinh committed all possible support for Brunei firms to do business effectively and sustainably in the country. ““Your success is also our success,” he affirmed.

He suggested both nations focus on promoting emerging economic fields such as green, digital, circular and knowledge-based economies and innovation; diversifying markets, products and supply chains. He asked for measures to step up collaboration in energy, chemicals, and Halal food for Islamic people.

With determination, efforts and close friendship between the two peoples, the Vietnamese leader expressed his belief that trade and investment cooperation will continue to be an important pillar of Vietnam-Brunei relationship and a driving force to lift bilateral ties to a greater height.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Minister of Finance and Economy II of Brunei Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah at the event. Photo: VNA

Meanwhile, in the last activity in his two-day official visit to the country, the Vietnamese PM received Minister of Finance and Economy II of Brunei Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah.

PM Chinh suggested the nations should also step up collaboration in oil and gas exploitation and processing; the production of chemicals, fertilizers, and halal products; people-to-people exchange, and tourism.

The Brunei minister pledged efforts to effectively implement agreements made by the senior leaders of the two countries during Chinh’s visit, notably those create favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Brunei ministries, sectors, and firms to beef up ties and promote business and trade.

After the meeting, PM Chinh and his entourage left Brunei for Vietnam, concluding his two-day official visit to the country.