Philippines, Brunei to sign MOU to boost tourism–Marcos

This picture taken on January 14, 2024 shows women taking selfie photo after disembarking from a boat in Brunei’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said that the Philippines and Brunei will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to bolster the tourism sector.

Marcos is in Brunei for a two-day state visit, where he will meet with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and other government and business leaders.

“During this trip to Brunei, we will sign the Philippines-Brunei Darussalam MOU on Tourism Cooperation, and through this MOU, we hope to entice and attract Bruneian tourists to explore the Philippines. Brunei, despite having a relatively small population, it is the quality of tourists and not the quantity that counts,” said Marcos in his departure ceremony in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City.

READ: Marcos arrives in Brunei for two-day state visit

According to Marcos, the MOU is one of the key priorities from the  3rd Philippines-Brunei Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation.

Marcos said that the partnership with Brunei will help bolster political, economic, and people-to-people ties.

“I look forward to securing investments that will generate more jobs, contribute to poverty alleviation, and accelerate the economic transformation of our country,” added the President.

READ: Marcos says to invite Singapore president, prime minister to PH

Marcos is in Brunei from May 28 to May 29 for his state visit. He will then travel to Singapore to deliver the keynote address at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue.