"I firmly believe my visit to Brunei will further consolidate the friendly relations between the two countries," she said while addressing a press conference at her official residence Ganobhaban.
The press conference was convened to brief the media about the outcomes of the official bilateral visit of the Prime Minister to Brunei from April 21 to 23.
At the beginning of her speech, the Prime Minister expressed deep shock at the tragic death of Zayan Chowdhury an eight-year-old grandson of Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim. He was killed in the recent Sri Lanka terrorist attacks.
Sheikh Hasina said just on her arrival at the Brunei International airport, she heard abou the news of the attack on April 21.
The Prime Minister again strongly condemned the cowardly attacks in Sri Lanka and called upon all to mobilise public opinion and take effective measures against terrorism.
During the visit, Sheikh Hasina said, she held a bilateral meeting with Sultan Hassanal Bolkhiah at his palace in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.
During the talks, Hasina said, Brunei Sultan highly commended Bangladesh’s remarkable economic development growth and outstanding achievements in social sector under her prudent leadership.
The Prime Minister said she placed specific proposals for cooperation on various sectors, including exchange of high-level visits, trade, investment, food, agriculture, fisheries, energy ICT and air connectivity to further consolidate bilateral ties.
In response, the Brunei Sultan welcomed the proposals and pledged to work together to implement the proposals, she said adding that Brunei expressed keenness on comprehensive bilateral cooperation, particularly on agriculture and food sectors.
Hasina said the two sides agreed to actively consider the possibility of a preferential trade arrangement under appropriate mechanism and conduct a joint feasibility study to this effect.
Besides, they agreed to invest in potential areas as well as on promotion of reciprocal investments, particularly in sectors like food processing, energy, ICT, ship-building, manufacturing, tourism infrastructure, blue economy and the jute industry.
The two leaders also put emphasis on cooperation among financial institutions of both the countries to enhance the operation of financial services to effectively promote bilateral trade.
The Prime Minister said both sides emphasised deeper cooperation in defence, particularly capacity building, knowledge sharing, peace-building and humanitarian operations.
About the Rohinhigya refugees temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh, sge said Brunei Sultan commended Bangladesh’s humanitarian gesture and generous assistance as well as the efforts towards their safe, dignified, voluntary, and sustainable repatriation.
The Sultan, Hasina said, put emphasis on just and permanent solution to the crisis and extended his support to Bangladesh’s efforts in repatriation if the Rohingyas with safety and honour.
Hasina said she sought cooperation of the Sultan in ensuring more participation and greater active role of ASEAN countries in resolving the Rohingya crisis.
About an initiative of Bangladesh to form a regional economic forum consisting five OIC member states, including Bangladesh and Brunei, she said, the Brunei Sultan expressed his support to the initiative.
Besides, Hassanal Bolkhiah assured her of providing necessary support to Bangladesh in further increasing cooperation of ASEAN with Bangladesh.
Hasina said Sultan Bolkhiah also appreciated Bangladesh’s contributions to global peace, development, and humanitarian operation as well as their wide participation in UN peacekeeping missions.
Following the fruitful talks, she said, six Memoranda of Understanding were signed on cooperation in the areas of scientific and technical cooperation in agriculture; fisheries; livestock; supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG); youth and sports; and culture and arts.
A document on the visa waiver arrangement for diplomatic and official passports holders for both countries was also exchanged after the meeting.
Apart from these, the two sides also recognised the contributions of the expatriate workers for the development of both the countries and agreed to sign an MoU with the inclusion of consultation mechanism of holding regular bilateral talks between the two sides.
Hasina said they also agreed to sign an agreement on introducing Air Service between Dhaka and Bandar Seri Bengawan within the shortest possible time.
They also laid emphasis on the need for keeping active regular consultation mechanisms like holding of foreign office consultations to further strengthen bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brunei.