Brunei is a beautiful country with many options for tourism, United Kingdom (UK) Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West said during a visit to the Belait District on Friday to meet with the British Forces Brunei (BFB) and the First Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR).
Held at the British Officer’s Mess along Jalan Maulana, Kuala Belait, the minister was welcomed by the BFB Commander and 1RGR Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel John Jeffcoat, alongside the 1RGR Honour Guard.
Gurkha Major 1RGR Major Jiwan Pun, as well as officers and personnel from the BFB, 1RGR and the British High Commission were also present.
West added: “From the service side, we have a strong track record around education. We are also hoping to support Brunei in the tourism market.”
She shared her excitement in being able to cruise along the Brunei River during her visit as well as seeing the sights and scenery the surrounding area had to offer.
West also shared that one memorable moment in her visit was participating in an iftar ceremony with Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof and the diplomatic community.
Other highlights included meeting a group of women who harvest honey from stingless bees (Kelulut), which she noted are opportunities for trade to promote Bruneian goods.
She also shared her experience in visiting the Botanical Research Centre at Universiti of Brunei Darussalam (UBD). “The UK has a long-standing relationship with Brunei, which is reflected in the continued regional security. We are very committed to maintaining this long-term relationship with the Garrison here.”
She added that the depth of this relationship, which has been forged for decades, can also be seen among Bruneians.
“Many people I have seen in Brunei have a strong connection to the UK. I am impressed by how much Bruneians know about the UK and how we can share the warmth, hospitality and warmth between us.”
The visit serves to not only give the minister an insight into the inner workings and close collaboration between the BFB, 1RGR, and the surrounding community; but also symbolises the UK’s commitment to security across the region and the deep ties between two Commonwealth partners who are united in their commitment to secure and resilient growth.
According to the British High Commission in Brunei Darussalam, the visit also comes three months after the UK joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which resulted in the first UK-Brunei free trade deal.
The minister also highlighted how the signing of the CPTPP will help boost the import and export of goods and services between the UK and Brunei. – Daniel Lim
