Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked Brunei Darussalam to enhance its trade and investment in Bangladesh.

She made the call at the bilateral talks with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at her office here.

"In the meeting, the Prime Minister proposed increasing Brunei's business and investment in Bangladesh and the foreign ministers of the two countries will work together to this end," said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Moment while briefing reporters after the official talks.

The PM also said if there is any problem here (for boosting business and investment), a joint consultation commission can be formed to take measures for solving it.

Hasina invited Brunei businessmen to go for investments in the 100 special economic zones of Bangladesh.

The Brunei Sultan has expressed interest in getting information technology (IT) experts, agriculture and fisheries goods, and halal meat from Bangladesh.

About the energy cooperation, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah assured that Brunei will extend energy support to Bangladesh as per its needs.

Hasina also urged Brunei to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh as there is a good number of highly talented and professional workers in different sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, service and IT.

"If Brunei wants it can recruit from them and meet their manpower needs," the PM was quoted as telling the Sultan.

About the Rohingya issue, she said not a single Rohingya has returned to their country in Myanmar since the 2017 influx into Bangladesh. In response, Sultan Bolkiah said it is unfortunate.

The Brunei leader agreed to the Prime Minister's proposal to support Bangladesh to become a partner of the ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue.

Hassanal Bolkiah highly appreciated PM Hasina's leadership in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hasina said the cooperation should be increased among the eastern and neighboring countries instead of looking only towards the western countries.

In this context, she mentioned that if the countries of the region work together with the spirit of cooperation in various fields, everyone will improve their position.

The premier herself and on behalf of her younger sister Sheikh Rehana expressed sincere gratitude to the Brunei Sultan for visiting Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 32 Dhanmondi.

Momen said Bangladesh and Brunei work together in various international forums and the two countries are also interested in working together in the field of defense cooperation.

He said Brunei has supported Bangladesh in the Human Rights Council in particular.

Senior Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at the briefing.