His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam returned home upon completion of a three-day state visit to the United Arab Emirates. The state visit involved Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
On the last day in Dubai, His Majesty consented to visit the Dubai Police Academy. The Brunei Monarch was welcomed on arrival by the Commander of Dubai Police, Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim that was shortly followed the national anthems of Brunei Darussalam and the United Arab Emirates.
Subsequently, His Majesty inspected the guard of honour. Established in 1956, the Dubai Police Academy is located at Al-Towar.
Various performances were held at the drill ground in honour of His Majesty’s visit. It began with a formation exercise structuring the word BRUNEI.
Tactics on guarding VIPs were also demonstrated. The academy used its Women Police in the exercise who showed their skill of action.
The exercise ended with an anti-demonstration drill involving anti-riot police, horse-mounted police, as well as a show by a team of police using the most modern anti-riot vehicles.
After witnessing the shooting demonstration at the Indoor Shooting Gallery, His Majesty consented to try his hands at one of the firearms exhibited. His Majesty was then invited to visit the Security and Science Administration Institute complex located in the Police Academy.
The Monarch was taken on a tour throughout the institute. At the conference room, His Majesty was briefed and watched a video clip on the functions and activities of the institute.
The Dubai Police Academy is under the jurisdiction of the government of Dubai unlike that of other police departments of the United Arab Emirates. The academy trains local and foreign students, especially those from member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council and other Muslim countries.
Prior to taking leave of the function, His Majesty signed the visitors’ book and received a gift from the Commander of the Dubai Police.
His Majesty also visited the 51-floor Tower of the Emirates in Dubai. Aside from a shopping centre, the commercial tower is equipped with facilities for the holding of meetings.
His Majesty was welcomed on arrival by the State Minister for Cabinet Affairs, who is also the Executive Chairman of Dubai Holdings, His Excellency Mohammad Al-Gergawi.
His Majesty heard a briefing on the 44th floor of the Tower of the Emirates of the various achievements and developments in Dubai in particular. These include current mega projects involving ICT technology, media, entertainment, health care and real estate. The briefings were presented by the Dubai Director General of Technology and the Authority on Media Free Zone, Mr. Saeed Al-Muntafiq, and Chief Executives of various other companies involved.
The final itinerary in the series of His Majesty’s state visit to Dubai was a four-eye meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. The meeting took place at Za’abeel Palace.
His Majesty was welcomed on arrival by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Deputy President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, who is also the Ruler of Dubai. His Majesty was introduced to the Dubai delegation whilst His Highness Sheikh Mohammad was in turn introduced to Brunei Darussalam’s delegation. During the meeting, both leaders discussed ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The state visit, a first by His Majesty is a landmark in the history of relations between Brunei Darussalam and the United Arab Emirates. The visit is proof of enhanced bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992.
Cooperation between both nations encompassed diversity of areas. They include air service agreed upon in 1992, allowing the Royal Brunei Airlines to operate in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Fujiriah. Currently, RBA operates daily flight to Dubai. Brunei Darussalam and the United Arab Emirates also cooperate in religious affairs, and cooperation in defence and education. In area of trade, Brunei’s import in 2003 stood at more than 5.1 million Brunei dollars. But in 2004 saw in increased of 5.2 million dollars. Total export of Brunei to the United Arab Emirates was valued at 1.7 million dollars in 2003 and increased to 3 million dollars in 2004. His Majesty’s visit will further enhance such cooperations.
(20th Apr 2006)
