- 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