MFA Press Statement: Visit of His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office of Brunei Darussalam, 1 to 5 September 2014

                   His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam, is on the second day of his five-day visit to Singapore for the Young Leaders’ Programme (YLP).

                   His Royal Highness met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today. They discussed developments in Brunei and Singapore, including education and the economy.  Prime Minister Lee noted that the frequent exchanges between Singapore and Brunei helped to ensure that the close bilateral relationship would be sustained into the future, and he looked forward to more bilateral exchanges going forward.  Following the meeting, Prime Minister Lee hosted His Royal Highness and the accompanying delegation to lunch.

                   Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam also met His Royal Highness, who is Chairman of Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam.  They discussed economic and financial matters.  They also reiterated the bilateral commitment to the Currency Interchangeability Agreement, which has promoted investment, tourist and trade flows between Singapore and Brunei.

                   Earlier today, His Royal Highness visited the Singapore Armed Forces’ Multi-Mission Range Complex (MMRC), hosted by Second Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing and accompanied by Minister of State for Defence and National Development Dr Maliki Osman.  His Royal Highness viewed live-firing demonstrations at the 50-metre indoor shooting range and the urban operations range, and also fired the Singapore Assault Rifle 21.  In addition, His Royal Highness drove the upgraded Light Strike Vehicle Mark-II (LSV MK II) and also viewed a static display of the Skyblade III Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.  To commemorate the visit, His Royal Highness was presented with the SAF’s Honorary Advanced Combat Skills Badge and an Honorary LSV MK II Driver’s License.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

2 SEPTEMBER 2014