US Ambassador to Brunei Looks to Bolster Ties

The new US Ambassador-designate to Brunei, Craig B Allen, says Brunei and the US have a strong relationship and he’s looking forward to building on the friendship between the two nations. Picture: Courtesy of US Embassy

Rachel Thien
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, February 7, 2015

THE new United States Ambassador-designate to Brunei, Craig B Allen, said Brunei and the US have a strong relationship and he’s looking forward to building on that friendship, which dates back to 1845.

Allen was sworn in as the US ambassador to Brunei Darussalam on January 30, a press statement from the US embassy here said.

Prior to his nomination as ambassador to Brunei, Allen served as the deputy assistant secretary for Asia at the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.

He was later assigned as the deputy assistant secretary for China.

In a video greeting to the people of Brunei, Allen said: “The Brunei-US relationship is strong. It is based on our cooperation in trade, education, regional security and more. I will work with the government of Brunei to make that relationship even stronger.”

He added that it is no secret that Brunei is well-known for its warm hospitality.

“My family and I look forward to experiencing it firsthand while exploring the unique treasures of the Sultanate, such as seeing the beautiful water village, taking part in our first Hari Raya and trying your famous ambuyat,” he said.

Allen has lived in Asia for 27 years, including 16 years in Japan and “approximately 11 years in China or Taiwan”.

He has visited every country in Asia except Laos, North Korea and Bhutan.

He speaks both Japanese and Mandarin Chinese.

Allen is married and has two children.

He spends his free time running and regularly competes in marathons and ultra-marathon races, the press statement said.

Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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