MFA Press Statement: Visit of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Negara Brunei Darussalam, 29 to 31 October 2012

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong began his three-day visit to Brunei Darussalam today.  He was received at the airport by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam, who accompanied PM Lee for the official Welcome Ceremony.

PM Lee had a four-eye meeting and delegation audience with His MajestySultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, at Istana Nurul Iman. 

The leaders expressed satisfaction with the strong ties between Brunei and Singapore.  PM Lee noted that our defence relationship was one of the hallmarks of our ties.  Both defence establishments have built up excellent links through joint exercises, training, and other cooperative arrangements.  PM Lee also expressed his appreciation to His Majesty and the people of Brunei for allowing SAF troops to train in Brunei.

PM Lee and His Majesty noted that it was the 45^th Anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement (CIA) and reaffirmed its importance in facilitating trade, investment and tourism between Brunei and Singapore.  Both leaders welcomed the proposal for the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) to hold bilateral meetings to discuss monetary and financial issues and areas of mutual interest.  Both leaders also noted that their respective postal authorities will jointly launch a commemorative stamp later this year as part of the 45^thanniversary of the CIA.

PM Lee and His Majesty agreed on the importance of maintaining regular exchanges.  In this context, PM Lee invited His Majesty to visit Singapore.  Both leaders also agreed on the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties.  They asked their respective officials to look at ways of stepping up our cooperation in education and youth exchanges.

PM and His Majesty discussed regional developments, including Brunei’s preparations for its ASEAN Chairmanship.  PM Lee expressed Singapore’s full support for Brunei’s leadership of ASEAN in 2013.

PM Lee also met Bruneian Deputy Ministers and senior officials in charge of the economy this afternoon.  PM and Mrs Lee will be hosted to a banquet this evening in the Istana Nurul Iman by His Majesty and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

29 OCTOBER 2012