Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah deliveing a decree during a state banquet with President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith.- INFOFOTO
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network): Brunei Darussalam will award two annual scholarships for Laotian students to pursue higher education beginning in 2024, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said in a decree.
The Sultan also expressed Brunei Darussalam’s support for the Lao PDR’s Chairmanship of Asean, adding that the ‘Visit Laos 2024’ will give an opportunity for visitors to experience the country.
His Majesty’s decree was delivered on Tuesday (Oct 3) evening during a state banquet hosted by President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith on the occasion of the monarch’s state visit to Laos.
Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
The Sultan also added that Laos has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies, transforming from ‘land-locked’ to ‘land-linked’.
The elevation of Brunei-Laos ties to a Strategic Partnership is very timely, in deepening of trade linkages between the two countries, including agricultural joint ventures and energy cooperation, towards enhancing the capacity of Brunei’s local industries as well as guarantee food and energy security, the monarch added.
The Sultan said he was impressed with the rapid developments that have taken place in Laos since the monarch’s last state visit in 1998; the ASEM Summit in 2012, and the Asean Summit in Vientiane in 2016.
The monarch looked forward to working closely with Laos in Asean’s community-building efforts towards the 2025 vision and formulating the Asean Community Vision 2045. In ending the decree, the Sultan extended best wishes to the government and the people of Laos for continued success, progress and prosperity.
President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith in his speech expressed a warm welcome to His Majesty and the delegation to the country, highlighting that the successful bilateral consultations are aimed towards strengthening friendly relations between both countries as well as its people.
The Laos president expressed satisfaction with the good cooperation over the past 30 years leading to the announcement of the Strategic Partnership and also expressed appreciation for Brunei’s continuous support and assistance to Laos
The state banquet was held at the Presidential Palace ‘Hor Kham’, Vientiane.
