Malaysia-Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will meet the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, here tomorrow for the 11th Annual Leaders‘ Consultation aimed at enhancing bilateral ties between the two friendly nations.
Abdullah will be accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah.
During the last meeting in Kemaman, Terengganu, in August last year, a 13-point joint statement was issued in which both leaders stated that they reviewed the overall state of bilateral relations.
They also noted the progress made in various areas of cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, science and technology, biotechnology, aquaculture and agriculture.
Progress was also noted in shipping and related matters, finance and banking, information and broadcasting, culture, education, religious affairs, human capital dvelopment, defence, security and tourism, they said.
In the statement, the two leaders stated that they have agreed in principle on the construction of bridges in specially-designated areas, linking Brunei and Sarawak. These initiatives will be undertaken by the private sector.
Abdullah and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah also encouraged businessmen from the two countries to increase joint investments in Malaysia and Brunei and to initiate discussions on joint investments in third countries to further strengthen Malaysia-Brunei economic cooperation.
In the Kemaman meeting, both leaders also agreed to the setting up of a Brunei-Malaysia Project Oriented Consortium to oversee implementation of specific collaborative projects between the two sides.
The two leaders also recognised the importance for second echelon officials of the civil service of both countries to meet and interact more frequently through existing Malaysia-Brunei Second Echelon Civil Service Exchange Programme.
To further deepen the interactions, they agreed to the implementation of a ministerial-level exchange programme known as the Malaysia-Brunei Annual Ministerial Exchange Programme.
Source: www.nst.com (13 Agustus 2007)
