Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor arrived in Brunei Darussalam last night for a two-day working visit.
The premier was greeted on arrival at the Brunei International Airport by Brunei's Minister of Development Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Suyoi bin Hj Osman and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Awg Lim Jock Seng.
Brunei-Malaysian ties will reach a new level as His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam will confer the title of Darjah Kerabat Laila Utama Yang Dihormati (DK) (The Most Esteemed Family Order Laila Utama) today on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib.
Meanwhile, Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei, Datuk Ku Jaafar Shaari, told Bernama that Malaysia and Brunei are keen to tap joint venture opportunities in the various sectors, especially in Sarawak and Sabah.
He said Brunei has had several discussions with both the states to look into opportunities in the areas of energy, telecommunications and agriculture including a halal hub, where they can jointly venture into.
"We realise that our bilateral relations have been getting stronger and both sides are serious in terms of investments, especially between Brunei and Sarawak and Sabah," he told Bernama in conjunction with the two-day working visit of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib.
Last year, trade between the two countries amounted to RM1.8 billion with Malaysia exporting mostly electronic goods, manufactured items, Proton cars and agriculture produce including vegetables and fruits.
There are also two or three Malaysian companies currently carrying out various construction projects, particularly the national housing project for Brunei.
UEM Builders was given the contract to build 4,000 units of homes under the Project, while Bina Puri Holdings Bhd is involved in the construction of 2,000 homes.
He also said that the conferring of the title on Malaysian premier reflected the strong ties shared by the two leaders.
(Borneo Bulletin : 13 July 2010)