DPM to visit Brunei Tuesday on two-day working visit

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will make her first official visit to Brunei Darussalam on Tuesday.

Her two-day working trip will begin with a meeting with the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, at Istana Nurul Iman shortly after her arrival here at 11am.

In a briefing to the media today, Malaysia’s High Commissioner-Designate to Brunei, Ismail Salam, said Wan Azizah is also scheduled to have an audience with Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha.

The Women, Family and Community Development Minister will also hold a discussion with Brunei’s Culture, Youth and Sports Minister, Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Aminuddin Ihsan, who is also in charge of the nation’s Community and Women Development Affairs.

“(Wan Azizah’s visit to Brunei) will provide an opportunity for both nations to boost bilateral ties, allow Malaysia to introduce the Pakatan Harapan government’s policies, and state the country’s stand on issues pertaining to the region and the global stage,” said Ismail.

Tomorrow evening, Azizah is slated to meet with the Malaysian community here during a special dinner gathering.

On Wednesday, the Deputy Prime Minister will hold a meeting with Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, which will be proceeded by a luncheon hosted by the Crown Prince.

“Prior to that, the Deputy Prime Minister will attend a roundtable discussion with about 40 local industry and business players to explore new fields of cooperation.

“This is an excellent platform for both countries to identify new opportunities, particularly in trade and investment,” Ismail said.

He added that the value of Malaysian trade with Brunei last year reached almost US$1 billion, making Brunei Malaysia’s seventh biggest trade partner in Southeast Asia.

Ismail also said that Malaysian investment in the oil-rich country stood at US$486.7 million in 2017, with most of the investments related to the oil and gas as well as construction industries.

Wan Azizah will wrap-up her trip with a visit to the National Disaster Management Centre; and Brunei’s Welfare Institution (Pusat Bahagia), which holds classes for people with special needs.