BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BRUNEI and Oman are holding talks to further cooperation and seek ways to achieve energy sustainability in the first joint seminar yesterday.

Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Mohd Yasmin Hj Umar said the seminar is a new and further extension of energy cooperation by both countries.

During the opening of the closed-door seminar, he said the theme ‘Enhancing Partnership Towards Energy Sustainability’ is appropriate as both Brunei and Oman have a heavy reliance on oil and gas as the backbone of their economies.

“Both economies seek sustainability in the energy sector that integrates economic, social and environmental aspects,” he said.

The YB Energy Minister said, to date, there are 22 Omanis cross-posting with Brunei’s oil and gas companies.

At the same time, 22 Bruneians are working in Oman, including cross-postees and direct hires.

The YB Minister said he hopes the number will increase in the years to come, such as cross-postings that are mutually beneficial not only in terms of acquiring knowledge, but also in fostering friendship and understanding among both countries.

The seminar will consist of six sessions addressing various issues from regulatory roles, challenges in the upstream and downstream oil and gas, sustainable energy, influence of technology and SME development.

The YB Minister went on to say that Brunei and Oman’s diplomatic relations, which enters its 30th year, were underlined during His Majesty's state visit to Oman in 2009, where discussions with Sultan Qaboos Said Al-Said called for further improvement in bilateral ties.

There were many exchanges of official visits and discussions over the years, resulting in the signing of agreements and MoUs covering a wide spectrum of areas of cooperation including energy, investment, avoidance of double taxation as well as cultural exchanges, he added.

Oman’s Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, Salim Nasser Al Aufi, is heading his country’s delegation at the three-day seminar, which is taking place at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Omani delegation also consists of officials from the oil and gas industry and the private sector in Oman.

Brunei’s oil and gas industries, government officials and students are also present at the seminar.

According to a joint statement by the EDPMO and Oman’s Ministry of Oil and Gas, the seminar is planned to be organised biennially to ensure a continuous dialogue that is mutually beneficial to both countries.

The following seminar will be hosted by Oman.

The Brunei Times