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Brunei's Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Haji Ali (5th L) poses for a group photo with officials from ASEAN countries during the Senior Officials' Meeting of the 41st Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry, in Bandar Seri Begawan, capital of Brunei, on Oct. 12, 2019. Agriculture and fisheries cooperation among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will help Brunei expand its economy and strengthen its diversification efforts, the country's Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Haji Ali said Saturday. (Photo by Jeffrey Wong/Xinhua)

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Agriculture and fisheries cooperation among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will help Brunei expand its economy and strengthen its diversification efforts, the country's Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Haji Ali said Saturday.

The minister made the remarks at the Senior Officials鈥?Meeting of the 41st Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers鈥?on Agriculture and Forestry (SOM-41st AMAF) in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan.

In his opening speech, Haji Ali said that cooperation under AMAF is important to Brunei. In addition to opening opportunities to develop the country鈥檚 agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors, the collaboration will also assist the country in pursuing its vision to further accelerate the growth of output in these sectors, which will contribute to the growth and diversification of the country鈥檚 economy towards achieving Brunei vision 2035.

The minister added that another important factor to achieve rapid and continuous growth in agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors for Brunei is promoting the use of modern technology and techniques

"This is very important to increase the sectors鈥?productivity and enhance the sectors鈥?international competitiveness,鈥?he said.

After SOM-41st AMAF, Brunei will also host the 41st AMAF, the 19th AMAF plus Three(China, Japan and South Korea) on Oct. 15-16.