HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to send messages of congratulations to Md Abdul Hamid, President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

In the message to Md Abdul Hamid, His Majesty expressed his pleasure at meeting him at the World Islamic Economic Forum last year and looked forward to working with him to further strengthen the friendship and close cooperation between the two counties.

In His Majesty’s message to Sheikh Hasina, His Majesty greatly valued the close friendship and cooperation shared between the two countries and looked forward to continue strengthening these long-standing and much-valued ties in the year ahead.

In ending the message, His Majesty prayed that Allah the Almighty bless the President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Prime Minister with continued good health and happiness and the people of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh with further progress and prosperity.

Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in a message to Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, congratulated his counterpart and the Government and people of Bangladesh on their Independence Day.

“I am happy with our close cooperation particularly in the Commonwealth and your interest in joining as a dialogue partner of Asean. I much appreciate the valuable contributions of the Bangladesh community in Brunei and look forward to continuing our work to strengthen these important ties in the years ahead,” said HRH Prince Mohamed. - Borneo Bulletin (26 March 2014)