Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Brunei later this month is expected to boost trade ties with the Asean country, says foreign ministry officials.
She is likely to leave for the tiny island nation of Borneo, 2 distinct sections surrounded by Malaysia and the South China Sea, in the fourth week of April.
Dhaka expects four to five agreements and memoranda of understanding to be signed during the visit.
“We expect to have a good visit as there will be a breakthrough in energy and migration cooperation between the two countries,” a foreign ministry official told Bangla Tribune.
The prime minister will have a bilateral meeting with Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah and other engagements, said the official asking not to be named.
In the visit, instruments on energy cooperation, agriculture cooperation, visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders and other areas are expected to be signed.
Energy cooperation
Brunei has expertise in energy field and Bangladesh aims to sign an agreement over offshore oil and gas exploration.
After the settlement of maritime boundary dispute with India and Myanmar, Bangladesh has sovereign authority of huge area in the Bay of Bengal, which is yet to be tapped, a foreign ministry official said.
“If any Brunei company in collaboration with Petrobangla and Bapex goes for exploration, it would be benefit both the countries,” he said.
Investment
Brunei is interested in investing in agriculture sector as it relies heavily on importing farm goods.
Another official said, “They have shown interest in cattle farming and processing industry and already contacted with potential private sector investors here.”
Dhaka expects an MoU on agriculture cooperation to be signed during the visit, he said.
Migration
About 16,000 Bangladeshis are currently working in the island country where demand for nurse is growing.
Another official said, “Qualified nurses with proper English knowledge are of huge demand in Brunei and we have some very good nursing institutions here.”
This is an area where we can have cooperation in addition to traditional migration, he said.
