PM flies to Brunei Sunday

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to leave Dhaka on Sunday on a three-day official visit to Brunei Darussalam at the invitation of kingdom’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

Officials familiar with the premier’s programme said the visit was expected to yield a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and woo Brunei investment in Bangladesh.

PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told BSS that a special Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight would depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) for Brunei on Sunday morning carrying the premier and her entourage members.

The flight is scheduled to land at Brunei International Airport in Bandar Seri Begawan, the Brunei capital, at 2:45 pm local time when Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah is expected to receive her at the airport.

After the official welcome ceremony, a ceremonial motorcade will escort the prime minister to Empire Hotel and Country Club, where she will be staying during her visit.

On the first day of her visit, Sheikh Hasina would join a community reception to be hosted in her honour by the expatriate Bangladeshis in Brunei at Indera Samudera Ballroom of Empire Hotel and Country Club.

She would attend a dinner to be hosted by the high commissioner of Bangladesh to Brunei the same day.

On Monday morning, Sheikh Hasina will have a general audience with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Royal family members at Cheradi Laila Kenchana at the Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan.

“After the audience, the prime minister will hold bilateral talks with the Sultan at Baitul Mesyuarah in Istana Nurul Iman,” Karim said adding that the talks would be followed by signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding (MoU).

In the afternoon, the prime minister will join a meeting between Bangladesh Business Community and Brunei Business Community and Brunei National Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Empire Hotel and Country Club.

She will visit Jame Asr Mosque and offer Asr prayers there.

Sheikh Hasina will attend official banquet to be hosted in her honour by the Sultan at Istana Nurul Iman.

On Tuesday morning, the prime minister will lay the foundation stone of new Chancery Building of Bangladesh High Commission at the Diplomatic Enclave at Jalan Kebangsaan in Brunei capital.

Later, she will visit Royal Regalia Museum.

Sheikh Hasina will leave Brunei for home at 5 pm local time and reach Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in the evening.