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Musharraf, Brunei Sultan discuss ways to better trade ties

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, (Brunei): Pakistan's Chief Executive, General Pervez Musharraf, on Saturday held 40-minute talks with Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at the latters 'Grand Palace'.

The talks focused on ways to further strengthen bilateral economic relation and the security situation in South Asia.

The Sultan of Brunei was assisted by Crown Prince Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee and Foreign Minister Prince Mohamed Bolkiah while Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar, Commerce Minister Razak Dawood and Pakistan's Acting High Commissioner Abdul Latee helped the Chief Executive.

The Sultan expressed the hope that the problem of Kashmir could be resolved peacefully, paving the way for establishing durable peace in the region, Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said after the talks between the two sides.

Gen Musharraf reiterated that he was ready to hold dialogue with India "anywhere any time and at any place".

The Chief Executive apprised the Sultan of Brunei about Pakistan's relations with India, saying that the aggressive rhetoric by the Indians was making the situation difficult. The Sultan supported General Musharraf's "serious proposals" for holding talks with India.

Sattar said the Sultan of Brunei was "curious (to know) about the results" of the US President Bill Clinton's visit to Pakistan.

When the Sultan was briefed by the Chief Executive, he (Sultan) was happy to note that the two leaders had very substantial exchange of views and added that was the way to improve understanding on issues of concern.

The issues of concern at the talks included tension in South Asia, nuclear restraint and curbing terrorism, the foreign minister said.

Musharraf, he said, apprised the Sultan of the efforts his government is making to address the problems of economy and governance.

The CE told the Sultan that the economic indicators were showing upward trends, with the improvement in economic situation in Pakistan. Exports are on the increase and the government is striving to cut the debt burden through privatisation of state-owned enterprises, General Musharraf said, according to Sattar.

Pakistan and Burnei agreed to further promote trade and commercial relations through the already established Joint Commission between the two countries. The Joint Commission is expected to meet by the end of this year.

The general stressed the need to further promote the economic ties between the two countries. The Sultan said that the proposals for this purpose could be considered by the Joint Commission.

Later, the Chief Executive, accompanied by the foreign minister and commerce minister, visited Brunei Museum and went round its various sections that depicted the culture of Brunei Darussalam. The museum was built in 1960s. APP