Brunei Darussalam High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haji Haris Bin Othman met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: MoFA

DHAKA, July 29, 2026 (BSS)- State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today expressed interest for more employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in Brunei Darussalam.

She expressed the interest when Brunei Darussalam High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haji Haris Bin Othman paid a courtesy call on her at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here, said a ministry’s press release.
 
During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in manpower, trade and investment, energy and air connectivity.

Shama underscored Bangladesh's interest in expanding access to Brunei's labour market, creating greater employment opportunities for Bangladeshi nationals.

Turning to economic relations, the state minister called for stronger business-to-business engagement to unlock the untapped potential of bilateral trade and investment.

She also proposed greater collaboration between women entrepreneurs of the two countries and establishment of a Bangladesh-Brunei Chamber of Commerce to deepen private-sector engagement.

The Brunei High Commissioner welcomed the proposals and reaffirmed his country's commitment to broadening trade and investment cooperation with Bangladesh.

Shama Obaed sought greater market access in Brunei for its pharmaceuticals, jute products, agricultural commodities and mangoes.

The two sides agreed to form a joint business group comprising chambers of commerce, entrepreneurs and investors from Bangladesh and Brunei.