Facilitating Closer Brunei-Vietnam Ties
By Sobrina Rosli

Bandar Seri Begawan - Is Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to receive in audience Truong My Hoa, Vice-President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.

The Vietnamese vice president is in the sultanate for a four-day official visit at the invitation of His Royal Highness Prince Haji AI-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office. She leaves for home today.

Present at the ceremony were Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II and permanent secretaries at the Prime Minister Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

During her visit the Vietnamese Vice President went on a tour of country's places of interest such as the Kampong Ayer, the Royal Regalia, and the Brunei Museum. She also visited Universiti Brunei Darussalam and the Brunei Economic Development Board.

On Monday, she was received in audience by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office. During the audience His Royal Highness and the Vietnamese Vice President exchanged views on the launching of a direct route which will facilitate increased cooperation between the two countries.

The two countries have had diplomatic relations since February 29, 1992. Signed agreements between the two countries include three separate Cooperation Agreements on Aviation, Maritime and Trade as well as two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), on the establishment, scientific and technical cooperation between the two countries and another MoU on Tourism.

In an interview with The Brunei Times earlier this month, Vietnamese ambassador to Brunei, Ha Hong Hai, had highlighted the potential of boosting the relations of two countries through the areas of labour, fishing, education, training and oil and gas.

He said Brunei could benefit from Vietnam's labour since it has a high need for foreign workers and the two countries could effectively cooperate in this area. Vietnam has a large workforce, with more than 78,800 Vietnamese going abroad last year to work as professionals, engineers, technicians, and skilled and unskilled labourers.

Vietnam plans to increase this number to 80,000 this year, sending guest workers to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and North America.

There are currently more than 600 Vietnamese workers in Brunei employed in the construction and services sector.

He also highlighted that Bruni and Vietnam have long coasts and share the same sea. This he said is where Vietnam could help Brunei develop its fishing industry for export to other countries.

In education, he said both countries could collaborate via exchange visits by teachers and students.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with