Viet Nam, Brunei vow to promote economic linkages

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam made the above statement on Saturday during his talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh who is on a two-day official visit to Brunei Darussalam.

For his side, Prime Minister Pham reassured Viet Nam's consistent policy of treasuring the comprehensive partnership with Brunei Darussalam.

He suggested Brunei facilitate the import of Viet Nam's goods, especially rice and farm products that meet Halal food standards.  

Viet Nam welcomes and continues to create favorable conditions for enterprises from Brunei to expand investment in the country, he affirmed.

Pham also proposed the sides to strengthen economic connectivity in a bid to build independent and self-reliant economies in tandem with extensive, substantive and effective international integration.

The two leaders lauded the effective development of Viet Nam- Brunei Darussalam comprehensive partnership in various spheres such as politics, security-defense, economy, trade, maritime cooperation, energy, education and training.

Especially, both sides spoke highly of remarkable trade expansion, reaching US$725.8 million in 2022, up 134 percent against the previous year.

They pledged to continue enhancing delegation exchanges at all levels and effectively carry out cooperation agreements, including the recently-inked action plan on the implementation of the comprehensive partnership for the 2023-2027.

The host and the guest agreed to accelerate bilateral trade in a more diversified and balanced manner, explore the possibility of joint venture in the exploitation, cultivation and processing of aquatic productsas, and seek opportunities for cooperation in new areas like digital economy, circular economy and climate change adaption.

The two leaders vowed to bolster collaboration in other important sectors such as defense-ecurity and maritime activities, including the maintenance of a hotline to support fisheries activities and share information about law enforcement.

They voiced their support for promoting cooperation in education-training, tourism and increasing direct flights between the two nations.

Both leaders consented to strengthen consultation and close coordination at multilateral and regional forums, maintain solidarity and uphold the central role of ASEAN.

They underscored the importance of peace, stability, safety, security and freedom of navigation in the East Sea, pledging to join hands in maintaining ASEAN's solidarity and principled stance on the East Sea issue, and striving for progress in the negotiation process of a Code of Conduct (COC).

Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing ceremony and exchange of an action plan on the implementation of the comprehensive partnership during 2023-2027 and an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders between Viet Nam and Brunei Darussalam./.