Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr and First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos arrived in Brunei on Tuesday morning for a two-day state visit to strengthen defence and economic ties.
According to Xinhua, in his departure speech, the President said that he and His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam will review the progress of bilateral cooperation, explore new mutually-beneficial partnerships and collaboration aimed at achieving prosperity.
“We must now deepen the bonds of friendship between our two countries,” said the President, adding the Philippines “expects to conclude several agreements ranging from security to tourism and agriculture”.
His Majesty will receive the Philippine President at Istana Nurul Iman for a State Welcoming Ceremony, followed by an audience and meeting, a bilateral meeting, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
The president will also meet the Filipino community, where he will highlight the contribution of over 25,000 Filipinos currently residing in Brunei.
The president will also attend a business forum and meet top members of the business sector to promote trade and investment relations between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau said in a Malacanang Palace briefing on Friday that the Philippines and Brunei are expected to sign memoranda of understanding on priority areas, ranging from agriculture to food security, maritime cooperation, and tourism.
From Brunei, the President said he will fly to Singapore to deliver a keynote speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue on security and defence which kicks off on Friday. – Borneo Bulletin/XINHUA/BERNAMA
