MFA Press Statement: 14th Singapore-Brunei Exchange Visit, 13 - 15 March 2009

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo will lead a delegation of Ministers and senior officials to Brunei Darussalam for the 14th Singapore-Brunei Exchange Visit from 13-15 March 2009. This is the latest in a regular series of exchanges between Singapore and Brunei that began in 1990. Held alternately in the two countries, the Exchange allows political leaders and civil servants of both countries to enhance mutual understanding and rapport through interactions in an informal setting. Singapore hosted the last Exchange in 2007.

The Singapore delegation includes Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, Minster for National Development Mah Bow Tan, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower and Health Hawazi Daipi. The delegation also includes senior civil servants.

During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding on Food, Agri-technology, Agriculture, Fisheries and Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Cooperation will be signed between the Singapore Ministry of National Development and the Brunei Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.

The Singapore delegation will have an audience with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. They will be hosted to meals by Foreign Minister Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Second Foreign Minister Pehin Lim Jock Seng. There will also be the traditional friendly golf tournament and badminton game.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
12 MARCH 2009