Bangladesh has sought more focused efforts on the part of ASEAN to bring about a durable and permanent solution to Rohingya problem. 

The issue came up when Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen exchanged New Year greetings over a video call on Wednesday with Minister of Foreign Affairs-II of Brunei Darussalam Erywan Pehin Yusof. They also discussed other issues of mutual interest. 

Dr Momen also shared his apprehensions with his Bruneian counterpart of the potential security risks for not only Bangladesh, but also South Asia and the South East Asian region if the Rohingya crisis is left festering any longer.

READ: 1,287 more Rohingyas reach Bhasan Char

He reiterated his call to Myanmar for taking necessary confidence building measures to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of the displaced Rohingya people to the State of Rakhine in Myanmar.   

Dr Momen referred to his recent telephone calls to his counterparts in the South East Asian countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

He shared that he had discussed the protracted crisis resulting from the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals with all of them and had sought their firm support for persuading Myanmar for creating a congenial situation for a safe, dignified and early repatriation of more than 1.1 million Myanmar nationals from Bangladesh. 

Recognising the huge burden imposed on Bangladesh due to the Rohingya crisis, Erywan Yusof expressed his full sympathy and observed that the situation was unfair to Bangladesh. 

He also expressed the hope that all sides in Myanmar would remain committed to the mechanism agreed for the repatriation of the displaced people back to Myanmar and would work sincerely for bringing a sustainable solution to this crisis. 

Narrating the phenomenal socio-economic development Bangladesh achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr Momen stressed the importance of accelerating the pace of bilateral trade and commerce, which currently is far below its potential. 

Highlighting the attractive investment packages, and the opportunities offered by the 100 economic zones, he encouraged the Bruneian investors and business community to avail these opportunities for the mutual benefits of the two brotherly people. 

The Bangladesh Foreign Minister specially referred to the opportunities for the Bruneian entrepreneurs in the areas of ICT and digital economy, Halal trade, agro-processing and fisheries. 

ErywanYusof expressed his keen interest on import of Bangladeshi mangoes and emphasized on concluding an Air Service Agreement for facilitating Bangladesh-Brunei bilateral trade. 

The Bruneian Foreign Minister informed that Brunei was expanding its petro-chemical sector, which may open opportunities for recruiting more Bangladeshi manpower in the near future. 

READ: 718 more Rohingyas leave for Bhasan Char

Describing the Bangladeshi workers as sincere, hard-working and quick-learners, Dr Momen assured the Bruneian Foreign Minister of full cooperation in this regard for a win-win collaboration. 

While discussing the need for having high level visits for further strengthening the bilateral relations, Yusof shared their keenness on having the visit of Sultan of Brunei to Bangladesh which got postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic. 

Dr Momen warmly welcomed the proposal and both the Ministers agreed on taking all necessary preparations in this regard.

Both ministers reviewed the important aspects of existing bilateral relations and agreed to explore new areas of cooperation for further cementing the relations.