Bangladesh-Brunei bilateral relation

Bangladesh and Brunei established diplomatic relations in 1984. Apparently, much more should have been done to make their ties stronger and more complete. There exist many avenues and possibilities to explore regarding the strengthening of ties. Brunei has, in the meantime, become one of the more suitable destinations for Bangladeshi migrant workers. Brunei, a small but oil-rich Southeast Asian nation which has just relinquished the charge of ASEAN Chair can also tap into the human capital and the economic potential of Bangladesh, a country of nearly 170 million people and phenomenal economic growth. If the two nations can mutually expand bilateral trade relations, there are possibilities of immense mutual benefits which may not be limited only to economic gains but can also spread across multiple areas of mutual interests.  

Brunei is a tiny country in Southeast Asia with an estimated population of 439,338, gross domestic product (GDP) of US$ 12.02 billion and per capita income of about US $31,501. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s GDP size is US $409 billion with a per capita income US $ 2,554. Hence, it is high time to make headway bilaterally considering the needs of the time.  The current government of Bangladesh is emphasizing on reinforcing economic diplomacy. Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina is considering all countries as allies in respect of strengthening bilateral relations.  During her visit to Brunei on April 2019, six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two nations aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, livestock and supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The two leaders also welcomed the exchange of notes on the visa waiver arrangement for diplomatic and official passports for both countries. It is therefore to the full credit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that from a state of sluggishness, the bilateral relations perceptibly began to take off and took on new dimension with more engagement and increasing enthusiasm after 35 years of diplomatic relations. She also campaigned for wooing Brunei capital as part of foreign investment. The two leaders recognized the potential for investments and agreed to encourage the promotion of reciprocal investments between the two countries in their mutual interest, particularly in sectors such as food processing, energy, ICT, shipbuilding, manufacturing, tourism infrastructure, blue economy and the jute industry. Brunei Darussalam expressed interest to explore participation in the global halal food market by taking advantage of the special economic zones of Bangladesh and the proven expertise of Brunei in the halal food industry. In view of common membership in the United Nations (UN), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Commonwealth, the two nations can depend on each other for their own interests, and influence and discuss regional and international issues while safeguarding their respective national interests. 

The insignificant amount of bilateral trade that exists between two Asian nations should not be viewed as an impediment but a new starting point for exploring the possibilities to take both the nature and level of the bilateral trade on a path of acceleration and progress. Bangladesh exported products worth $ 1.11 million to Brunei and imported products worth $ 0.51 million in FY 2017-18. Though off late, bilateral trade has slightly increased, which can be attributed, among other factors, to the active role of the Bangladesh High Commission in Brunei Darussalam. The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh stated that export earnings of 61 Bangladesh missions in July-June 2020-21 are US $ 38191.43 million which is 98.54 per cent of national export income. Out of 61 Bangladesh Missions abroad, 28 Missions (Canberra, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Moscow, Dubai, Vienna, Copenhagen, Thimphu, Cairo, Amman, Nairobi, Tashkent, Warsaw, Port Louis, Rabat, Kathmandu, Hanoi, Islamabad, Kuwait, Doha, Addis Ababa, Abuja, Bucharest, Jakarta, Pretoria, Bandar Seri Begawan, Colombo and Tripoli) achieved their export target while 33 Missions missed the target set for them. Hence, the Bangladesh mission in Brunei Darussalam deserves appreciation for contributing to the Bangladesh economy.

Though export earnings from Brunei recorded lower than expectations, Brunei has been playing an instrumental role in employing Bangladeshi migrant workers since 1992. Currently, over 12 million Bangladeshi-born people work in more than a hundred countries, making the country’s economic foundation strong and resilient. Going by the record of country-wise overseas employment from 1976 to 2019 prepared by Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), Brunei’s position is not satisfactory. Of the total overseas employment of Bangladeshi workers worldwide, Brunei accounts for 0.59 per cent up to December 2019 whereas about 31.89 per cent in KSA, 18.68 per cent in UAE, 11.82 per cent in Oman, 8.32 per cent in Malaysia, 6.36 per cent in Qatar, 6.16 per cent in Singapore, 4.95 per cent in Kuwait, 3.23 per cent in Bahrain, 1.42 per cent in Jordan, 1.32 per cent in Lebanon. The countries with below one per cent of overseas employment by Bangladeshi workers include Libya, Sudan, South Korea, UK, Italy, Japan, Egypt, Mauritius, Iraq and Brunei. It should be mentioned here that up to December 2020, female Bangladeshi workers in Brunei account for just 0.02 per cent of the total Bangladeshi workforce. Female Bangladeshi workers in KSA make up 38.27 per cent, in Jordan 17.56 per cent, in UAE 14.23 per cent, in Lebanon 11.60 per cent,  in Oman 9.87 per cent, in Qatar 3.63 per cent. Up to 2019, Bangladesh sent about 43.55 percent skilled workers, 28.15 per cent less-skilled, 20.36 per cent semi-skilled, 0.27 per cent professional, and 7.67 per cent others.

 Brunei hosts more than 100,000 foreign workers, among which 30 per cent are Bangladeshis. It is alleged that Bangladeshi migrant workers have been falling victims to labour exploitation, visa trading, and human trafficking in Brunei. Besides, unauthorized wage-deduction, charging of Sultan tax, insurance fee, staff house rent, forged medical test fee, depriving due wages, confiscation of passports, denial of extending visa, rejection of issuing contract papers, time cards and wage documents are other hurdles that come along the way.

Bangladeshi migrant workers in Brunei face wage theft to a great extent, next only to KSA. As opposed to the excessive migration cost of about four lakh for flying to Brunei, the Bangladeshi workers’ income is not more than Tk 20,000 on an average. In Brunei, low-skilled Bangladeshi migrant workers are seen in most workplaces.  Brunei has huge demand for skilled workers, including tile fixers, electricians and maintenance workers, and the wages of the skilled workers are way higher than those of the unskilled ones. For Brunei government’s Wawasan 2035 development project and implementation of 35 kilometers long Tumburong Bridge under Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) project of China, Brunei planned to recruit about 50,000 Bangladeshi workers. The Bangladesh government through proper channels has to move fast in exporting more workers in Brunei in the days to come. It is good to note that an MoU on the employment of workers between the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is under consideration, If signed, it will bring about substantial fortune and benefits to the Bangladeshi workers, in particular, with regards to the protection of their rights, privileges and due wages.  

In the present context, Bangladesh needs liquefied natural gas (LNG) to address economic challenges and to lessen dependency on Oman and Qatar. Though Brunei is a small country, it has a strong economy which is heavily dependent on its natural resources and hence half of the country’s GDP depends on the export of crude oil and natural gas. In view of the growing demand for energy in Bangladesh, looking for new energy sources is indisputably a wise and effective decision. The expansion of bilateral trade relations can also be facilitated through signing of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the nations. The two countries should explore more avenues in what way mutual economic benefits can be earned. The First Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Brunei Darussalam was held in Dhaka in September 2018. The second FOC is supposed to be hosted by Brunei in early 2022. It would be a rewarding experience, if 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 could extend his sincere cooperation by taking necessary actions for employing more workers from Bangladesh and ensuring their wages and rights in Brunei in a just and fair way. We are also waiting for his maiden visit to Bangladesh once the disruptions and challenges posed by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic subside. 

The writer is an economic affairs analyst. He can be contacted at [email protected]