Bandar Seri Begawan - As the year draws to an end, we at the United States Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan would like to take a moment to reflect on the friendship and good will extended to us in 2012. We thank the Brunei Government, colleagues and local communities for their continued commitment to advancing peace and offering cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

This year, the United States celebrated an historic Presidential election culminating in the re-election of President Barack Obama. During her September visit to Brunei, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Minister of Education Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong launched the Brunei-US English Language Enrichment Project for Asean, a programme which will further integrate and promote prosperity among the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

In addition to this programme, US-Brunei people-to-people exchanges expanded in other areas, too. For the first time on record, over a hundred students from Brunei are studying in the United States, and the Ministry of Defence sent its first officer to the prestigious US National War College.

The annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise expanded to include a more comprehensive military-to-military training exchange, including partnership-building activities on land, in the air and at sea.

These exchanges continue to strengthen the long-standing and deep friendship between the United States and Brunei, forging bonds that lead to greater partnerships in both the public and private sector.

US and Bruneian companies are working together on oil and gas exploration, infrastructure, energy management and healthcare projects, ensuring that future generations in the United States and Brunei will continue to prosper.

Happy New Year! May 2013 bring further partnership, prosperity and celebration!

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin