Emir of Kuwait official visit

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, greets the Emir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah upon his arrival at the Brunei International Airport yesterday. Also present to welcome the Emir was HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik (back R)

His Majesty shares a light moment with the Kuwait Emir at Istana Nurul Iman

Text by Quratul-Ain Bandial of The Brunei Times. Brunei and Kuwait have pledged to expand cooperation spanning education, tourism, trade and investment after the countries inked several agreements at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.

The leaders of both countries welcomed the signing of two agreements and four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) as a “positive step in elevating and deepening bilateral engagement”.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam welcomed the Emir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the capital yesterday, receiving him at the airport for a two-day state visit.

At the palace, the leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement allowing visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic, official and special passports; as well as a protocol amending a previous agreement on the avoidance of double taxation.

The four MoUs cover higher education and scientific research; tourism; training between the foreign affairs ministries of both countries; and the establishment of a joint commission on government-to-government cooperation.

In a joint statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the heads of state said the increased trade volume between the two nations reflected the “huge potential” to expand trade and investment ties, and urged their officials to explore opportunities in oil and gas, ICT, Islamic affairs, and private sector linkages.
The leaders also acknowledged the need to diversify away from a petroleum-based economy, underscoring the role of the private sector — particularly small to medium enterprises (SMEs) — in enhancing competitiveness.

The statement said the Third Joint Committee Meeting on Economic and Technical Cooperation will be held in Bandar Seri Begawan in December 2016.
Present during the audience at Istana Nurul Iman were HRH Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah; HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik; HRH Princess Hjh Masna, Ambassador-At-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as other members of the royal family, cabinet ministers, and members of the Kuwaiti delegation.

The Emir was welcomed to the palace with a 21-gun royal salute, and was also introduced to senior members of His Majesty’s government.

Later in the evening, a state banquet was hosted in honour of the Emir’s first state visit to the sultanate. Text by Quratul-Ain Bandial of The Brunei Times and  Images by Khaliq Roziman and Yusri Adanan of The Brunei Times and Infofoto.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and the Emir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah followed by HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik and other members of the royal family arrive at the venue for the state banquet at the Istana Nurul Iman last night

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Emir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office during the state banquet held at Istana Nurul Iman last night

His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik (C) and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel (L) during the state banquet