Doha, November 08 (QNA) - HE Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the State of Qatar, Mohamed Bahrin Abu Bakar, affirmed that the visit of HRH Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office of Brunei Darussalam, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, to the State of Qatar, holds great significance, especially as it coincides with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In exclusive remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency said that the visit reflects the depth of the longstanding friendship, mutual trust, and close fraternal ties between the two countries. The visit also reaffirms their shared commitment to continuing to strengthen and develop bilateral relations across various fields, he added, noting that high-level visits serve as significant milestones in maintaining momentum of communication and engagement between the two sides, providing valuable opportunities to deepen mutual understanding, enhance cooperation, and explore new areas of partnership in pursuit of the shared interests of both countries and their peoples.

HE Brunei's Ambassador pointed out that relations between the two countries are founded on shared values of mutual respect and friendship, emphasizing that the bonds between their peoples constitute a fundamental dimension of this relationship. He highlighted the contributions of citizens residing and working in Qatar to the country's development across various sectors, particularly energy and aviation, noting that they serve as an important bridge of communication between the two countries.

He also pointed out both sides' commitment to strengthening coordination and cooperation within multilateral organizations and forums, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) relations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the United Nations, particularly on issues of mutual interest. Such efforts contribute to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity at both the regional and international levels, he added.

Regarding economic and trade cooperation, His Excellency noted that there is considerable scope for expanding trade and investment between Brunei Darussalam and the State of Qatar, stressing the importance of encouraging greater engagement between private sector institutions and companies in both countries, while creating more opportunities for businesses to explore potential partnerships and joint ventures.

The Halal industry, food security, tourism and hospitality, and education are among the most promising sectors for furthering economic cooperation, he noted, emphasizing that fostering greater engagement between companies and investors from both sides would open up new avenues for cooperation and help establish stronger and more sustainable economic ties.

He noted that Brunei Darussalam could serve as a strategic gateway for Qatari companies seeking to access Southeast Asian markets, while the State of Qatar represents an important gateway for Bruneian companies looking to enter the markets of the GCC countries, indicating that this would enhance opportunities for economic and investment integration between the two sides.

He affirmed that strengthening connectivity between the two countries, particularly in air transport, is an important factor in supporting business travel, tourism, trade, and investment, pointing out that improving air connectivity goes beyond reducing geographical distances, as it also helps create a more conducive environment for expanding trade and fostering closer ties between the business communities of both countries.

On promising sectors for future cooperation, His Excellency stressed that the two countries are exploring new areas to expand their economic cooperation, noting that efforts to strengthen bilateral relations should not be confined to government cooperation or partnerships between private sector institutions and companies, but should also extend to greater exchanges and direct interaction between the two peoples, given their role in fostering mutual understanding, strengthening bonds of friendship, and building closer ties between the two societies.

Tourism represents one of the key areas in which the two countries could explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation, he explained, highlighting Brunei Darussalam's readiness to launch the Visit Brunei Year 2027 (VBY 2027) initiative, which is a comprehensive national initiative aimed at revitalizing the tourism sector, supporting economic diversification efforts, and showcasing the country's unique identity internationally.

The year-long initiative would showcase Brunei Darussalam's rich culture and heritage, pristine natural environment, renowned hospitality, and diverse tourism experiences, he noted, expressing his hope that it would attract more visitors from the State of Qatar to explore the country's tourism offerings, while also welcoming more Qatari tourists to visit Qatar and discover Brunei Darussalam's cultural heritage, modern attractions, and renowned hospitality.

He stressed the importance of air connectivity in achieving these objectives, highlighting Qatar's position as a major international aviation hub through Hamad International Airport, which connects travelers to destinations around the globe. He also noted that this offers significant opportunities to leverage the air connectivity network to boost tourism between the two countries.

His Excellency emphasized that increasing flight services, alongside strengthening cooperation among tourism authorities, travel agencies, and private sector institutions, would help promote Brunei Darussalam as an attractive tourist destination for travelers from Qatar and around the globe, while opening up new opportunities for tourism cooperation and cultural exchange between the two countries. (QNA)