Ople to meet Brunei ruler

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople left for Brunei yesterday for a three-day visit to discuss potential cooperation on trade and investments and tourism, as well as to promote other bilateral concerns with the oil-rich state.

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

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the visit is also part of the customary courtesy call undertaken by a new foreign minister to introduce himself to his counterparts and to heads of states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

This will be the first time Ople will be formally introducing himself to his Brunei counterpart, Prince Mohammed, Brunei’s foreign minister, since he took over the helm of the DFA last year.

Ople will meet with the Prince 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 program, he said, is 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.

Another the potential area of cooperation between the Philippines and Brunei would be tourism, including direct flights from Bandar Seri Begawan and Davao City.

There will also be discussions on industrialization programs such as petrochemical and information technology projects.

"Brunei has the petroleum and gas resources while the Philippines have the expertise," Ople said.

He added the Philippines will work on an agreement on education with Brunei that will recognize each other’s university degrees and professional licenses to allow free exchange of intellectual resources.

While in Brunei, Ople will likewise discuss preparations for the state visit of the Sultan of Brunei in Manila on Jan. 27 to 29, where the Brunei leader is set to hold private talks with President Arroyo.

The trip, he added, should 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."