BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN — His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik left Brunei Darussalam on Wednesday after a three-day state visit in which the two countries elevated their ties to a strategic partnership, Oman News Agency reported.

During the visit, His Majesty held talks with Brunei’s His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on expanding trade and investment. He said bilateral trade had yet to reflect the strength of the relationship and identified energy, food security, maritime transport and logistics as areas for closer cooperation.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of a joint statement on the partnership and an agreement on reciprocal visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic, special, service and official passports. The countries also signed memoranda of understanding covering labour and human resource development, health, the economy and strategic planning, and agriculture and fisheries.

Before leaving Brunei, His Majesty met His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah to discuss ways to expand investment ties. In a separate meeting, he reviewed longstanding political ties and opportunities for closer cooperation with Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Brunei’s ambassador-at-large.