BY James Kon

Brunei Darussalam and Timor-Leste on Wednesday inked an Air Services Agreement paving the way for enhanced air connectivity and opening up opportunities for cooperation in the civil aviation sector and destinations between both countries.

The signing ceremony took place at the Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong.

Signing on behalf of the Government 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 was Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha and for Timor-Leste, Minister of Transport and Communications José Agustinho da Silva. With improved connectivity, there will be greater impetus for enhanced economic, social and cultural ties between the people of the two countries.

Prior to the signing, Timor-Leste Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Adaljiza Magno and José Agustinho paid a courtesy call to Pengiran Shamhary, where they exchanged views on further cooperation in the transport and infocomunications sector between the two countries, especially in the air transport sector.

José Agustinho also visited departments and authorities under the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) where he took a closer look at developments within the transport and infocommunications sectors.

The visit brought José Agustinho to the Training and Driving Test Circuit Complex in Kampong Sungai Akar, the Land Transport Department, Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD), Department of Civil Aviation, the Brunei International Airport, and the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD) Headquarters.

While at MPABD, the minister was given a presentation by the Brunei Maritime Academy (BMA). He also visited the Telephone-House, Unified National Networks (UNN) Sdn Bhd in Sumbiling.

Diplomatic relations between Brunei Darussalam and Timor- Leste were established on May 20, 2002.

The signing of the Air Services Agreement marks another achievement in bilateral relations between the two countries.

Present to witness the signing were Adaljiza Magno; Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Brunei Darussalam Abel Guterres; Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Infocommunications) and Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Transport) at the MTIC; as well as senior officers and executives of government and private agencies of both countries.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin