Bandar Seri Begawan, 22 March 2022:

The reception of the 52^nd ‘Glorious Independence and National Day of Bangladesh’ was organized by the Bangladesh High Commission in Brunei at the Rizqun International Hotel on 21 March 2023. The program started with the arrival of the invited guests comprising a whole constellation of members of diplomatic core, representatives of the government of Brunei Darussalam, members of civil society and Legislative Council, Bangladesh community members and others. Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Junanda Bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Hon’ble Minister for Development graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor. He was accompanied by his wife Yang Mulia Datin Fadzlin binti Hashim.

A collaborative art work was unveiled by Bruneian artist Pengiran Wahab Hasan, Awanku Muhammad Hazim and Siti Kaprawi that focused on Bangladesh’s emergence as an independent country led by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A book titled ‘Bangladesh through the eyes of the Bruneian Children’-a collaboration between Bangladesh High Commission, La Vida, and Reading and Literary Association of Brunei (ReLA) was launched.

The Bangladesh High Commissioner, Mrs. Nahida Rahman Shumona in her speech paid rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She expressed her profound gratitude towards His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulahibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, for his State Visit to Dhaka in October 2022. She also added that the Second Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Brunei held on 31 August 2022 with Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Ambassador Masud Bin Momen leading the Bangladesh delegation and then the visit of Hon’ble State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Mr. Nasrul Hamid, MP to Brunei on 23-25 November 2022, injected new dynamism to the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brunei. Presenting Bangladesh as an attractive investment destination, she proudly shared the success stories of Bangladesh, the massive development projects that came about, thanks to the remarkable leadership and prudence of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina who put Bangladesh on a different development trajectory by inaugurating the Padma Multipurpose Bridge and the first ever Metro Rail in Bangladesh. She effusively praised the strong leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister for the phenomenal economic performance of the country despite a three year long pandemic situation. She highlighted the public diplomacy initiatives, Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage, progress of the ‘Brunei Chancery Project’, the beautifully decorated ‘Bangabandhu Corner’ inside the Bangladesh High Commission, defence cooperation etc..  In the end, she encouraged all to work harder to build ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041 as envisioned by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.  She concluded her speech with ‘Long Live Brunei-Bangladesh Friendship’, and ‘Joy Bangla’ which is the national slogan of Bangladesh. The program proceeded with cutting of ‘National Day’ cake, presentation of gifts to the Guest of Honour and Datin by the Bangladesh High Commissioner, photo session, and dinner. Everybody seemed happy with the flawlessness of the entire event.