His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed the importance of enhancing closer economic collaboration between Brunei Darussalam and the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.
In a joint statement following the 25th Brunei-Malaysia, Annual Leaders’ Consultation, the Leaders encouraged exploring further investment opportunities between the respective agencies, as well as strengthening cooperation in various sectors including tourism and agriculture for the mutual benefit of their peoples.
Both leaders welcomed the development of stronger business and commercial ties through the establishment of the Brunei Darussalam-Sabah Joint Business Council and Brunei Darussalam-Sarawak Joint Business Council.
The leaders also looked forward to the opening of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (STATO) in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam this year, which will enhance tourism cooperation and promote greater interaction between Brunei Darussalam and the state of Sarawak.
The leaders looked forward to closer economic linkages through commercial paddy cultivation and livestock integration, tapping into Sarawak’s agricultural resources and Brunei Darussalam’s halal branding. This will contribute to enhancing food security, resilient supply chains and market access.
The leaders welcomed the progress made in realising the cross-border power interconnection project between Lumut, Kuala Belait and Tudan, Miri, which aims to ensure a steady supply of energy and also establishing opportunities for a bilateral power trade between ASEAN Member States.
Both leaders acknowledged the close cooperation and the potential for increased collaboration in the energy sector between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia and welcomed future ventures that would benefit both countries.
The leaders acknowledged the ongoing discussions on investments in mutually beneficial areas under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) which was signed on January 25, 2023.
The leaders were of the view that potential investments in those areas would further contribute to greater mutual economic growth. The leaders also encouraged fostering new collaborative efforts to boost economic growth and expand employment opportunities in both countries, particularly through initiatives driven by the private sector.
Meanwhile, both leaders highlighted the importance of exchanging knowledge and expertise in agriculture between the two countries towards ensuring food security.
His Majesty expressed appreciation for the agricultural training courses provided by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) for the technical officers of the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood of Brunei Darussalam (DOAA), which have helped facilitate the enhancement of Brunei Darussalam’s agricultural sector.
Both Leaders look forward to continued agricultural collaboration for the benefit of both countries.
