Clicky
Opinion

Outcomes of Brunei Sultan’s visit to Bangladesh


Published : 23 Oct 2022 08:09 PM

Brunei Sultan 

Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah paid a state visit to Bangladesh on 15 to 17 October 2022. As the two countries have been collaborating at multi-sectoral levels, the three-day visit of the Brunei King has ushered in a new era in the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brunei. The core objectives of the visit were aimed to promote mutual economic growth and sustainable development – expanding and deepening the harmonious relations between the two Asian Tigers.

During the visit, issues like manpower export, much-needed energy cooperation, strengthening people-to-people communication, and discussion on the safe repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar got top priority in the agenda. The visit was of special significance for both sides as it  took place at a time when the world is going through a critical situation and massive transformation due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia - Ukraine War. 

During the visit, both countries signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) on boosting maritime connectivity, energy cooperation, air service, and better management of migrant workers. Both countries have also agreed on increasing bilateral trade and political cooperation in various international forums.

Background

The historic relations between Bangladesh and Brunei Darussalam were established on 5 May 1984, within five months of Brunei’s independence as a sovereign state. However, the two countries were having routine relations for most of the part of the last four decades, until current Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Brunei in 2019. During the visit, Dhaka and Bandar Seri Begawan signed six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to step up cooperation in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, livestock, culture, sports, and LNG supply. Since then, the two brotherly nations have been continuing their efforts to capitalize on potentials emanating from the increasing economic stardom of the two fastest-growing economies.

Bilateral trade and manpower export

With an estimated population of 439,338 and a total area of 5,765 square kilometers, Brunei is one of the smallest states in Asia. However, it has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $15.4 billion while the GDP per capita income is about $31,501.50 – making it one of the richest countries in the continent. On the other hand, Bangladesh is the eighth largest country in the world in terms of population – demonstrating its immense human capital. It has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $409 billion with a per capita income of $2,554 surpassing neighboring India.

Despite such huge potential, bilateral trade between the two countries is still insignificant. According to the latest data, Bangladesh exported products worth $1.11 million to Brunei and imported products worth $0.51 million in FY 2017-18. As a result, it is high time to make progress in bilateral trade and business – reinforcing economic diplomacy. The expansion of bilateral trade relations can also be facilitated through the signing of a Preferential Trade Agreement between the two nations during the state visit of the Sultan of Brunei.

The Southeast Asian country can also play an instrumental role in employing Bangladeshi migrant workers in its development sectors. It hosts more than 100,000 foreign workers, among which 20,000 are Bangladeshi expatriates. Most of them are skilled and semi-skilled laborers – contributing to the petroleum and gas, education, health, and construction sectors. 

However, it is alleged that Bangladeshi migrant workers have been falling victim to labor exploitation and many other structural hurdles in Brunei. During the visit, MoUs have been signed on better management of the Bangladeshoi migrant workers in Brunei. Under the MoU, recruitment process and management will be more transparent and according to ethical manner. There are also possibilities that Brunei may take more skilled and semi-skilled worker from Bangladesh in near future.

Energy cooperation

Due to the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war, energy prices have increased at an unprecedented level and almost all the developing countries are paying the price of this global catastrophe. Likewise, Bangladesh is also facing challenges at home as the demand for gas and other forms of energy has increased rapidly while the supply is in sharp decline. In this context, Bangladesh is in need of an alternative and dependable source of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to address the looming challenges.

Though Brunei is a small country, it has a strong economy that is heavily dependent on its natural resources which include crude oil and natural gas. Under the MoU and previous agreement on energy cooperation, Brunei will export LNG to Bangladesh now. To reduce transport cost, both countries will also work on boosting maritime connectivity among them. Considering Bangla­desh’s LNG shortage and the high price of oil in international market, Brunei’s energy export will largely benefit Dhaka amid the uncertainty. 

Rohingya repatriation

The Rohingya crisis remains one of the most humanitarian and security challenges in the whole region. Though Bangladesh has tried all diplomatic means to ensure the safe and swift repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland, Myanmar – an ASEAN member state, responsible for genocidal crimes and the mass exodus of the Rohingyas, seems to be abandoning its commitment to cooperate in the process.

During the visit, Bangladesh expressed Brunei for their political support towards Rohingya repatriation. As Brunei is member of several important international forums such as ASEAN, OIC and the UN, Bangladesh will find Brunei in its side when it comes to repatriation.

Apart from these, both countries also signed air service agreement which will benefit the migrant workers and increase cross-culture connection between the countries. The large delegation teams also talked about increasing bilateral trade, and Brunei expressed its intention to recruit healthcare professional to develop its health sector. 

In a nutshell, the outcomes of the Brunei Sultan’s visit were crucial considering the aspects of energy cooperation and migrant management. Amid the global economic crisis, areas like manpower export, energy supply, and communication will benefit both countries’ mutual interests. 

Through the visit, Dhaka and Bandar Seri Begawan has also got a chance to discuss increasing trade, political cooperation and cross-culture connection among them that would further bolster the ties between two brotherly states cooperating for a prosperous future of their nations.


Kazi Fahim Ahmed is a Research Intern at The East Asia Study Center, University of Dhaka.