- Bangladesh rolled out the red carpet as Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah arrived in Dhaka on his first state visit to the country on Saturday afternoon.

President Abdul Hamid warmly received the Sultan at the VVIP terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport amid 21-gun salute upon his arrival by a special flight.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were, among others, present.

The Brunei Sultan was accompanied by his royal family members, ministers and senior government officials.

He was given a guard of honour by a combined contingent of Bangladesh army, navy and air force in presence of President Hamid, senior ministers and high civil and military officials.

The Sultan of Brunei and the Bangladesh President stood on a makeshift dais when military band played national anthems of both the countries.

Foreign Minister Momen has expressed optimism that the state visit by the Sultan would “usher in a new chapter” in the excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brunei.

The visit was originally scheduled for October 14-16, but later it was rescheduled for October 15-16.

Brunei has one of the world's highest standards of living due to its abundant oil and gas reserves.

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the world's longest-reigning and few remaining absolute monarchs. He was crowned in August 1968 following the abdication of his father, Sir Haji Omar Ali Saifuddin.

Read: Brunei Sultan due Saturday; 3 cooperation deals likely to be signed

From the airport, the Brunei Sultan went to the National Martyrs' Memorial, Savar.

There, he was received by Liberation War Affairs Minister, State Minister Housing and Public Works and State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief.

The Sultan placed a wreath paying homage to the Liberation War martyrs, signed visitors’ book; and planted a sapling there.

In the evening, Foreign Minister Momen met the Sultan at his place of residence and discussed various issues of mutual interest, said an official.

Brunei Sultan held meeting with President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on Saturday evening before joining dinner hosted by the President.

He will hold meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at 3:50 pm on Sunday apart from his other engagements during the visit.

Bangladesh and Brunei are likely to sign three bilateral cooperation documents, including an agreement for introducing direct flights between the two countries, Momen told reporters.

Read: Bangladesh, Brunei highlight importance of air, shipping connectivity to boost ties

Two other cooperation documents will be signed on recruitment of Bangladeshi workers and recognition of certificates for two countries’ seafarers.

“We believe that the visit will be a successful and productive one,” Momen said.

On energy cooperation with Brunei, Momen said Bangladesh is having discussion in this area and exploring all available options.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah will also visit the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32 to pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Sunday.

Family members of Bangabandhu will receive him there, according to a draft programme schedule.

In April 2019, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a historic visit to Brunei Darussalam, which marked a new milestone as the countries signed several MoUs for various types of cooperation, including in sectors like gas supply, fisheries, agriculture, livestock, youth and sports, and art and culture.

Currently there may be around 15,000 Bangladeshi workers in Brunei.

The country welcomes foreign workers to work in Brunei, including Bangladeshis, as long as the recruitment process is clean and all documents are in place.

Foreign Minister Momen is scheduled to see off Brunei Sultan at the airport after completion of the visit, likely on Sunday evening.

Foreign Minister of Brunei Darussalam Erywan Yusof met his Bangladesh counterpart Momen at state guesthouse Padma on Friday night.

During their talks, the two Foreign Ministers exchanged views on important aspects of bilateral relations and stressed the importance of further strengthening the level of trade and investment for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

They agreed to explore new areas of cooperation as well as to enhance connectivity for giving trade, investment, tourism, people-to-people contacts, etc. further boost in the days ahead.

They also exchanged views on the challenges brought about by the pandemic and the conflicts in Europe, particularly in the form of food and energy insecurity and supply chain disruptions.