QNA

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN THE Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani wrapped up his one-day state visit to Brunei Darussalam on Tuesday evening.

Soon after arrival in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, HH the Emir held a one-on-one meeting with the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah without aides. Later, HH the Emir led the delegation accompanying him into talks with the Brunei Darussalam team headed by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at the Sultani Palace.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations and means of bolstering them, in addition to reviewing a number of regional and international issues of common interest.

Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam al Muhtadee Billah and a number of ministers also took part in the talks.

Following the talks, HH the Emir and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah witnessed the signing of two agreements and MoUs between the two countries. One of the agreements was on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of evasion of tax on income, and the other one seeks to enhance economic, commercial and technical cooperation. The two MoUs were on educational and cultural cooperation.

Meanwhile, HH the Emir attended a dinner banquet Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah hosted in the honour of HH the Emir and the accompanying delegation at Istana Nurul Iman Sultani Palace.

Earlier on arrival at Brunei International Airport, HH the Emir and the accompanying delegation were welcomed by Crown Prince al Muhtadee Billah and a number of highranking officials besides the Charge d’ affaires at Qatari embassy in Brunei Ahmad Ibrahim al Abdullah.

In his speech at the airport, HH the Emir expressed pleasure over visit to Brunei at the invitation of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. HH the Emir extended sincere greetings and best wishes for the progress, welfare and prosperity of the government and people of Brunei. HH the Emir also expressed the confidence that the talks between the two countries will go a long way in promoting bilateral cooperation in all fields to the benefit of the two peoples.

HH the Emir then headed to Istana Nurul Iman Palace where he was accorded a redcarpet reception. HH the Emir and the accompanying delegation were welcomed at the Palace by Sultan Bolkiah and a number of princes, ministers, senior civil and military officials and ambassadors accredited to Brunei.

At the conclusion of his daylong visit, HH the Emir left for home. He was seen off at the airport by the Crown Prince and a number of highranking officials as well as the Charge d’ affaires of Qatar in Brunei. HH the Emir sent a cable to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in which HH the Emir expressed thanks and appreciation to the Sultan for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him and the Qatari delegation.