Thailand
Brunei-Indonesia have huge potential for bilateral trade, says outgoing ambassador
BRUNEI Darussalam and Indonesia have an excellent relationship which has grown stronger over the years, in terms of political, economical and socio-cultural cooperation, said Nurul Qomar, the outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam, in an interview yesterday at the Brunei International Airport, prior to her departure from the country.
“Over the last three years, there has been a growing number of Bruneians visiting Indonesia and vice-versa, for business or social purposes, which clearly displays the strong ties between the two countries,” she said.
“The relations between the two countries’ heads of state are also very close, to the extent of paying respect to each other by bestowing honorary state decorations.”
Nurul Qomar also believes that there is huge potential for bilateral trade and cooperation.
“Currently, we are trying to open up a direct route to Balikpapan, but we still find hard to get slots for flights, as we need the connectivity to promote trade and bring about positive development,” she said. “Without the connectivity, we cannot develop our respective economies.”
On her experiences of Brunei, she replied, “As someone who previously learned about the Sultanate through media and social network platforms, it really has been an amazing journey to be part of the Bruneian community.”
Nurul Qomar also said that she will carry many fond memories of the warm hospitality of the Bruneian people, with whom she formed several close friendships during her six-year stay in the country.
“When I first arrived here, I found the country to be quite unique,” she said. Brunei is small, but wealthy, with a lot of potential. Despite being a small nation, it is capable of playing a significant role in the region, under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
“When Brunei first joined Asean, everybody questioned its capability but His Majesty’s wise leadership has proved that Brunei is capable of being an Asean member country.”
Nurul Qomar first came to Brunei as a deputy to the Indonesian ambassador on April 17, 2011.
Following the departure of her predecessor, she was promoted to the post as the new Indonesian ambassador on February 25, 2014, which also made her the first civil servant to be promoted while being posted to a foreign country.
On hand to bid farewell to the outgoing Indonesian ambassador were several diplomatic corps, in addition to embassy officials and members of the Indonesian expatriate community in Brunei.
Source: http://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-indonesia-have-huge-potential-for-bilateral-trade-says-outgoing-ambassador/