From BRUNEI: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed for formation of a regional economic forum involving five Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states of South and Southeast Asian region.

The premier made the proposal during her talks with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at the Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei Monday (April 22) morning.

The members of the Southeast Asian Cooperation Organisation (SEACO), the proposed regional economic forum, will be Bangladesh and the Maldives from South Asia and Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei from Southeast Asia, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque told reporters.

In response to the proposal, the Brunei Sultan assured that he will “favourably consider” the matter, the foreign secretary said.

Sheikh Hasina's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and Speech Writer Nazrul Islam were present at the briefing.

Issues related to bilateral interests and international concerns including the Rohingya crisis came up for discussions at the talks, said the foreign secretary.

The prime minister made some more proposals for further strengthening the bilateral ties and cooperation between Bangladesh and Brunei.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (April 21) left Dhaka for Brunei Darussalam on a three-day official visit at the invitation of the kingdom’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave Brunei for home at 5 pm local time Tuesday (April 23).

BDST: 1610 HRS, APR 22, 2019
SI