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 in a titah said that Brunei Darussalam and Singapore have enjoyed a friendship that is built on a foundation of mutual trust and understanding, as well as common interest. His Majesty also underlines the various fields of cooperation that further strengthens the bilateral ties. His Majesty made the titah at the State Banquet to celebrate the 4-day state visit of Her Excellency Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore to the country. The function took place last evening at Istana Nurul Iman.

At Istana Nurul Iman, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam welcomed the arrival of Her Excellency and spouse, Mr. Mohamed bin Abdullah Alhabshee.

Prior to the State Banquet, His Majesty received in audience Her Excellency and spouse. Also in attendance were His Majesty's children, brothers and sister;

- His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman;

- His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi'atul 'Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah;

- His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Wakeel;

- His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam;

- And His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah.

Also in attendance were;

- Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah;

- Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah;

- Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, the Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade;

- And Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam as well as other members of the Royal Family.

Also present at the State Banquet were; Mr. Heng Swee Keat, Minister of Finance of Singapore; Dr. Mohamad Maliki bin Osman, Senior State Minister at the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore; and Yang Berhormat Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman, Minister of Education as the Minister in Attendance and Datin.

The Doa Selamat was recited by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

In the titah, His Majesty is pleased with the President of the Republic of Singapore's state visit that portrays the close and long-standing relationship that has existed for more than fifty years between the two countries. The Monarch is confident that with the said visit, it will bring the people much closer together and deepen the relations further.

Touching on the signing of 2 documents on cooperation in the financial sector, His Majesty believes that these arrangements provide a good solid base on which the financial institutions, the private sector and investors alike are able to cooperate and benefit.

In the titah, His Majesty also highlights that the special and unique relationship between Brunei Darussalam and Singapore is underpinned by the strong people-to-people ties, especially with the Young Leaders Programme.

Her Excellency Halimah Yacob, in her remarks among other things congratulated His Majesty for the Golden Jubilee of His Majesty's accession to the throne last year. Her Excellency added that under the His Majesty visionary leadership, Brunei Darussalam has enjoyed peace, progress, and prosperity for many decades. Her Excellency also touched on the longstanding ties between both countries, which allows for strong and deep cooperation in many areas.

Her Excellency also highlighted on the efforts to further enhance economic cooperation such as in aquaculture, and hoped that even more Brunei-made products will be in Singapore's market in the future. Touching on the Youth Leadership Exchange Programme between both countries, Her Excellency said this is the best to strengthen relations among future generations of leaders.

Highlighting on ASEAN, Her Excellency said Singapore and Brunei Darussalam share a common objective of building a united, cohesive and forward-looking ASEAN to ensure regional peace and prosperity. Her Excellency stressed that Singapore appreciates Brunei Darussalam's strong support for Singapore's ASEAN Chairmanship.

Apart from strong bilateral ties, Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore also shared a close history. Both countries also identified a number of areas to further enhance cooperation in economy and trade, education, health and agriculture.

Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore continue to enjoy a high level mutual trust. The frequent meetings and visit exchanges between leaders and senior ministers from both countries portray the priority that is give towards further strengthening the people-to-people ties.

Her Excellency's state visit will surely further deepen the ties and cooperation that have been enjoyed by the two countries. It is another chapter in history that will continue to be a talk by citizens and residents of both countries.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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