By Azaraimy HH
Cuban Ambassador Carlos Alfredo Amores Balbin. – AZARAIMY HH
Caribbean Socialist Republic, Cuba, is seeking to explore more than just diplomatic ties with Brunei and is
eyeing ‘areas of common profit’ between the two sovereign states.
Technical cooperation in disaster management is one of the potential areas for bilateral partnership, where
Cubans’ have gained expertise in crisis management due to their long experiences in dealing with hurricane
disasters.
In the areas of trade, Cubans are looking for an opportunity in fields such as pharmaceutical and bio-medical
supply, in which they have a well-established industry.
The Cuban Ambassador, Carlos Alfredo Amores Balbin spoke to the media yesterday about these
prospective opportunities. He presented his credentials to His Majesty, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of
Brunei on February 10.
Carlos, 42, is concurrently the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Malaysia.
The Ambassador voiced out his country’s desire to strengthen and enhance diplomatic ties with Brunei
during an interview with several local-based media. He is much grateful to His Majesty for granting the
opportunity to meet with him. “During my meeting with the monarch, His Majesty showed great concern on
global warming and critical issues the world needs to conserve and preserve,” he said.
Mr Carlos also wishes to convey his commiseration to victims of the flash floods and landsides, which
wreaked havoc in the sultanate and added that Cuba has had similar problems during the hurricane season.
He would like to convey his deepest gratitude to His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as HRH Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large.
The ambassador also wishes to thank several cabinet ministers for the ‘fruitful’ meetings.
According to the Cuban Ambassador, through ‘friendly’ diplomatic ties, the Cubans are eager to forge
‘diplomatic contents’ in the relationship and identify areas for economic and trade.
In terms of economic or trade, the ambassador has had a good first impression about the sultanate since his
arrival. He said, “I am eager to begin working with Brunei to identify common areas of profit between our two
nations.”
On the issues of past relations and common connections, Mr Carlos told the media that both Brunei and
Cuba are countries of the south and members of the Non-Alliance Movement (NAM).
“Brunei established diplomatic relations with the socialist republic nearly 20 years ago and it is about time to
identify new areas of opportunities.
“One of the diplomatic missions I am working on at this current moment is to enhance cultural relationship
between the people of the south,” the Cuban Ambassador said.
He further added that Cuba is an oil-importing nation and have several agreements with international oil
companies. Mr Carlos told the media that he has personally conveyed an invitation to HRH Prince Mohamed
Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to attend the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Alliance
Movement, which is to be held in Havana, Cuba on April 28 to March 2.
