Canada considers Brunei a key ally

CANADA considers Brunei to be a key ally in many ways, the new High Commissioner of Canada to the Sultanate, His Excellency Marcell Gaumon, said yesterday.

With Canada celebrating its trade leadership and successes this year, the new High Commissioner pointed out that Canada and Brunei enjoy a good partnership across a wide range of areas, including trade and investment, education, defense and security, and environmental technologies.

Delivering his 'Canada Day' address yesterday in a ceremony celebrating the occasion, HE Gaumon said "Given Canada's expertise in these areas, and Brunei's position as a growing market, there is much scope for both countries to expand our cooperation for the benefit of our people".

Held at the Empire Hotel and Country Club in Jerudong, the ceremony was attended by the Minister of Development, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman and spouse along with invited guests from other foreign missions, private sector agencies, Canadian expatriates living in Brunei and senior officials from various government agencies.

The Canada-Brunei relationship is strengthened by cooperation in multilateral forums including APEC, the WTO, the Commonwealth, as well as through dialogue within the ASEAN and interaction with its Regional Forum (ARF).

This will hopefully be strengthened even more soon with the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership), said HE Gaumon.

"I am sure that the months and years to come will bring more opportunities for our countries to even build a stronger relationship," he stated.

"We have noted with great interest Brunei's ambitious plan 'Wawasan 2035' and it is our goal to support and partner with you in this long term achievement," said the High Commissioner.

The Minister of Development, in congratulating the Canadian mission and Canadian people here in Brunei on the occasion of Canada Day, reflected the High Commissioner's sentiments on the strong bond shared between both countries, expressing the nation's eagerness to enhancing and improving these ties.

"With the appointment of the new High Commissioner of Canada to Brunei, I am sure we will be able to forge closer relations between our two countries," said the minister.

Though the Ministry of Development itself has no direct ties to Canada in terms of cooperation or joint partnerships, the ministry is quite keen to venture into this avenue, he said.

The Brunei Times