Assistant Foreign Minister Ambassador
Ghanim Sagr Al-Ghanim

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Wad'daulah expressed full support for Kuwait's non-permanent membership at the UN Security Council for the 2018-2019 term. The support was affirmed in a joint statement released yesterday on the sidelines of the official visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Brunei from 11 to 12 October. According to the statement, the two sides discussed the situation in Yemen, Iraq, Palestine and Syria, and the results of the second Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit held in Bangkok from 9 to 10 October. Meanwhile, the Bruneian sultan hailed Kuwait's hosting of the UN-sponsored Yemeni peace talks and the country's humanitarian role.

Prevention of fiscal evasion

A senior official at Kuwaiti Ministry of Finance has underlined the significance of the agreement of Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion signed by Kuwait and Brunei on Tuesday during the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Signing the agreement aims to remove financial obstacles so as to promote trade exchange between the two countries, Ghaidaa Al-Shamali, head of taxes agreements department at the ministry said yesterday.

The deal prevents double taxation with respect to money or individuals, she said. She noted that the deal has several articles including (the resident article) which determine people benefiting from traits of the agreement. Among the articles also are "the income from immovable property" and "the business profit" which clarifies kind of spending discounted when taxes are estimated, she added. The agreement also has articles on (capital, profits of shares and diplomatic mission staff), she indicated. The Article 29 of the agreement stipulates that it is valid for five years and is renewed automatically for further five years, she said.

Bilateral ties, cooperation

Meanwhile, the two countries have agreed to further solidify their bilateral relations and pledged to expand mutual social and economic cooperation. The accord was affirmed in a joint statement released at conclusion of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's State official visit to the Sultanate. During the audience ceremony at the Istana Nurul Iman (Presidential Palace), His Highness the Amir and Sultan Bolkiah expressed satisfaction with the warm and friendly relations shared between Brunei Darussalam and Kuwait, and agreed to further strengthen these much-valued ties.

"Both Heads of State affirmed their efforts to support expanding social and economic cooperation between the two countries by exploring mutually beneficial opportunities, such as in the fields of trade, economic and investment, oil and gas, education, tourism, information technology, private sector linkages and Islamic affairs," the joint statement said. Sultan Bolkiah and His Highness the Amir witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOU) between the Government of Brunei Darussalam and the Government of Kuwait.

The inked cooperation MoUs are in the fields of higher education and scientific research, tourism, mutual exemption on visa for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports; protocol amending the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income; establishing a joint commission for cooperation. Another memorandum stipulates cooperation between the two countries foreign ministries on training the departments' staff.

"Both Heads of State welcomed the signing of the agreements and memoranda of understanding as a positive step in further elevating and deepening bilateral engagement." His Highness the Amir, along with accompanying delegation of senior officials, paid the visit to the Sultanate at the invitation of Sultan Bolkiah. It was Sheikh Sabah's first State Visit to Brunei Darussalam. His Highness the Amir was accorded an official welcoming ceremony at the Istana Nurul Iman (palace) on 11 October and was accompanied by a delegation of government officials including Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. - Agencies