Formed 1984 Website www.mofat.gov.bn | Headquarters Bandar Seri Begawan | |
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Jurisdiction Brunei and its diplomatic missions worldwide Agency executives HM Hassanal Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
YB Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Second Minister | ||
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the ministry responsible for handling the Kingdom of Brunei's external relations, the management of its international diplomatic missions and the nation's foreign trade policy. The ministry's director is Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, brother of reigning sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah.
History
From 1888 until 1984, Brunei was a protectorate under British rule, but the nation began the foundations of a foreign ministry by creating a Diplomatic Service Department. After achieving full independence from the United Kingdom in January 1984, Brunei immediately established an independent foreign ministry, then known as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry's first and only director since its foundation has been Prince Mohamed Bolkiah.
In 2005, the government merged the ministry with the former International Relations and Trade Department of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources. The addition of "Foreign Trade" to the ministry's official name was made to reflect the full scope of its responsibilities.