His Majesty begins state visit in India
Welcome: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam being welcomed by E Ahmed, the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs at the Palam Air Force Base in New Delhi yesterday. Picture: Izam Said Ya'akub
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
THE Bandar Seri Begawan landed at the Palam Indian Air Force Base in New Delhi, with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at the helm of the Boeing 747 yesterday.
As the plane taxied towards the welcoming area, His Majesty could be seen at the controls of the aircraft by impressed onlookers on the ground. As the Sultan emerged from the plane, a high powered Indian delegation led by the Indian Minister of State of External Affairs, E Ahmed, greeted His Majesty. After welcoming His Majesty, E Ahmed, who is also Minister in Attendance, introduced other members of his delegation to the visiting monarch.
His Majesty's landmark four-day visit will set a new tone of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. During his busy schedule His Majesty will meet senior Indian officials, including the President, Mrs Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and several ministers of his cabinet.
The visit will also witness the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). The agreements which will be signed will be a watershed in India-Brunei relations. Among the important agreements to be signed, is the Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (BIPA) and the Joint Trade Committee.
According to a Senior Official of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the BIPA agreement will accelerate and expand the trade relations between the two countries. The official said "the agreement will provide a ground for future investment between the two countries. Both India and Brunei will identify areas of investment and how the investment could be safe and secure".
He said the agreement will encourage capital flows into the two countries and also provide safe business environment for investors of both countries.
The purpose of the agreement is aimed at creating such conditions which are favourable for fostering greater investments by the investors of one country in the territory of the other country. Such agreements are beneficial for both the countries.
This bilateral agreement also provides a legal basis for enforcing the rights of the investors in the countries involved, giving assurances to the investors that their foreign investments will be guaranteed fair and equitable treatment, full and constant legal security and dispute resolution through international mechanism.
He added that apart from investment, the technical knowhow possessed by Indian counterparts will enhance the technical and production capabilities of SMEs in Brunei.
Today His Majesty's schedule includes meeting with Indian President, Prime Minister and other senior ministers. In the morning His Majesty will attend a grand welcome ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace) where he will be accorded a guard of honour. In the evening the President will host a state banquet in honour of His Majesty's visit.
The Brunei Times
As the plane taxied towards the welcoming area, His Majesty could be seen at the controls of the aircraft by impressed onlookers on the ground. As the Sultan emerged from the plane, a high powered Indian delegation led by the Indian Minister of State of External Affairs, E Ahmed, greeted His Majesty. After welcoming His Majesty, E Ahmed, who is also Minister in Attendance, introduced other members of his delegation to the visiting monarch.
His Majesty's landmark four-day visit will set a new tone of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. During his busy schedule His Majesty will meet senior Indian officials, including the President, Mrs Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and several ministers of his cabinet.
The visit will also witness the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). The agreements which will be signed will be a watershed in India-Brunei relations. Among the important agreements to be signed, is the Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (BIPA) and the Joint Trade Committee.
According to a Senior Official of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the BIPA agreement will accelerate and expand the trade relations between the two countries. The official said "the agreement will provide a ground for future investment between the two countries. Both India and Brunei will identify areas of investment and how the investment could be safe and secure".
He said the agreement will encourage capital flows into the two countries and also provide safe business environment for investors of both countries.
The purpose of the agreement is aimed at creating such conditions which are favourable for fostering greater investments by the investors of one country in the territory of the other country. Such agreements are beneficial for both the countries.
This bilateral agreement also provides a legal basis for enforcing the rights of the investors in the countries involved, giving assurances to the investors that their foreign investments will be guaranteed fair and equitable treatment, full and constant legal security and dispute resolution through international mechanism.
He added that apart from investment, the technical knowhow possessed by Indian counterparts will enhance the technical and production capabilities of SMEs in Brunei.
Today His Majesty's schedule includes meeting with Indian President, Prime Minister and other senior ministers. In the morning His Majesty will attend a grand welcome ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace) where he will be accorded a guard of honour. In the evening the President will host a state banquet in honour of His Majesty's visit.
The Brunei Times
Business Besides Oil
