BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Pan Borneo Highway project and cooperation in defence, tourism as well as the oil and gas sector are among the key issues expected to be discussed at the 21st Malaysia-Brunei Annual Leaders’ Consultation here tomorrow.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak arrived here late yesterday evening for the meeting with Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman tomorrow.
The Prime Minister is accompanied by several cabinet ministers including Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Joining the delegation are Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Dr Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei, Datuk Ghulam Jelani Khanizaman said Malaysia and Brunei enjoy warm and cordial bilateral ties.
According to him, trade between two countries from January to July this year totalled RM2.69 billion.
He was speaking at a media conference at the Malaysian High Commissioner’s office here this evening.
In terms of tourism, 1.4 million tourists from Brunei visited Malaysia last year and they made up the fifth largest group of visitors to Malaysia.
He said this year more than 1.5 million tourists from Brunei were expected to visit Malaysia and he was confident the figure could be achieved because as of August, 1.15 million tourists from Brunei had visited Malaysia.
He said the Annual Leaders’ Consultation is a very important mechanism in the effort to strengthen relations between the two countries in various fields and levels for their mutual benefit. — Bernama