Press Release No.023-03
20 January 2003

OPLE FLIES TO BRUNEI FOR TALKS ON STRONGER TRADE TIES

Pasay City - Foreign Secretary Blas F. Ople leaves today for Brunei to discuss preparations for the State Visit of the Sultan of Brunei in the Philippines and to promote bilateral concerns between the two countries.

The visit is actually part of the customary courtesy undertaken by a new foreign minister to introduce himself to his counterparts and to the heads of states of other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“The Philippines and Brunei has had a long history of cooperation dating back to the 13th century which we should nurture,” Ople said.

The trip should also be “an opportunity for the Philippines and Brunei to discuss a wide range of cooperation that would benefit Filipino professionals already working there and for Brunei to take advantage of investment opportunities in the Philippines,” Ople said.

Ople will meet Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Brunei foreign minister, before meeting with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and the Crown Prince, Al-Muhtadee Billah.

During his meeting with Prince Mohamed, Ople will discuss plans for revitalizing the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). This is a program designed to harness the resources and development potential of southern Philippines and the northern regions of three neighboring ASEAN countries as an engine of economic growth.

Ople said that among the potential areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Brunei would be in tourism, including direct flights from Bandar Seri Begawan and Davao City.

There will also be discussions on industrialization programs, such as in petrochemical and information technology projects.  “Brunei has the petroleum and gas resources while the Philippines have the expertise,” Ople said.

“We will work on an agreement related to education so that the Philippines and Brunei will recognize each other’s university degrees and professional licenses.  This would allow for a free exchange of our intellectual resources,” Ople said.

Ople said that details on the cooperation will be taken up during Sultan Bolkiah’s State Visit to the Philippines on 26-29 January.  “His Majesty the Sultan and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will have a one-on-one discussion during the visit on these matters.  I will simply be laying down the ground work,” he added.

While in Brunei, Ople will also meet with members of the Filipino community where he will hand out “Outstanding Performance in Labor and Employment” (OPLE) awards to deserving Filipino workers and Brunei employers.  The OPLE awards was established by the Philippine Embassy in Brunei to recognize outstanding work in the field.

Secretary Ople flies back to Manila on 22 January and will immediately report to President Arroyo on the results of his discussions with Brunei officials.