Trade and economic ties between Brunei Darussalam and Kuwait were bolstered with the signing of two agreements last night at Istana Nurul Iman. The two oil-rich nations also signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

The signing of the three important agreements were witnessed by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The signing took place following an audience and bilateral meeting last night at Istana Nurul Iman. His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait is in Brunei on an official visit. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan also hosted an official dinner, and held a four-eyes meeting with His Highness the Kuwaiti Prime Minister.

The three documents comprised an Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, Trade and a Memorandum of Understanding.

Signing of the Agreement of Economic and Technical Cooperation was Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Ibrahim for the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di- Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Mr Mustafa Jassim Alshamali for the Government of Kuwait.

Signing the Trade Agreement was Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng for the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam and Mr Mustafa Jassim Alshamali for the Government of Kuwait.

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Consultation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait was Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng and Kuwaiti Ambassador Khaled Sulaiman Aljarrallah.

Before the signing His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to receive in audience the Prime Minister of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the Istana Nurul Iman last night.

Present during the audience were HRH Prince Haji Al Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister Office. Also present were HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, HRH Prince Sufri Bolkiah, HRH Prince 'Abdul Malek, HRH Prince 'Abdul Mateen and HRH Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Following the audience and signing ceremony His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait proceeded for a bilateral meeting and a four- eyes meeting before heading for the banquet hall for an official dinner. - Borneo Bulletin (26th July 2008)