President Abdul Hamid on Saturday urged the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh.

The President made the call when the Sultan paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this evening.

Welcoming his guest to Bangladesh, the President said that a new chapter has begun in the relationship between the two brotherly countries with the visit - the Sultan's first state visit to Bangladesh.

The President said that Bangladesh attaches importance to developing relations with Southeast Asian countries. 

He also expected Brunei's support to get Bangladesh's ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner status.

The President thanked the Sultan for providing free corona vaccine to expatriate Bangladeshis working in Brunei. 

Stating that there is a suitable investment environment in Bangladesh, the President urged the businessmen of Brunei to invest in Bangladesh. 

He also emphasized increasing communication at the public-private level to increase trade between the two countries.

Thanking the Sultan for his support to Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue, President Hamid expressed hope that his support to Bangladesh on this issue would continue in the future. 

He sought the cooperation of the Sultan for the speedy repatriation of the Rohingyas.

The Sultan of Brunei praised the socio-economic development of Bangladesh and assured his counterpart of providing the support in the future.

Prince Abdul Mateen was present in the meeting too.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Foreign Secretary Masood Bin Momen, and secretaries to the President were also present on the occasion.

After the meeting, the Sultan signed the visitors' book.

The President hosted  a cultural programme followed by a state banquet, that was also attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.