A Singapore delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean had an audience with Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah yesterday as they began their visit to the sultanate.

DPM Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, thanked the Sultan for attending Singapore's SG50 National Day Parade and expressed appreciation for Brunei's friendship with Singapore over the past five decades, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) statement .

The Singapore delegation is in Brunei for the 3rd Young Leaders' Programme (YLP).

Accompanying DPM Teo are ministers Grace Fu and Masagos Zulkifli; senior ministers of state Indranee Rajah and Sim Ann; and Minister of State Chee Hong Tat.

The YLP, launched in 2013, aims to strengthen relations between Brunei and Singapore, in particular between their younger leaders.

Both sides welcomed efforts, such as the YLP, to build on the longstanding and special relationship between the two countries.

The delegation also met Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and was hosted to lunch by him.

DPM Teo and Crown Prince Billah, who is Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, affirmed the warm ties between their countries and agreed that the strong momentum of exchanges between the leaders of both countries should be sustained into the next generation, MFA said .

The Singaporean delegation, whose visit ends tomorrow, was also briefed on Brunei's economic priorities, including Wawasan (Vision) Brunei 2035 and Penggerak.

Wawasan 2035 refers to a plan unveiled in 2008 which aims, among other things, for a sustainable economy with income per capita that ranks among the world's top 10 by 2035.

Penggerak is a unit in the Prime Minister's Office which aims to achieve Brunei's national goals through effective programme delivery.

The two sides also exchanged views on common challenges faced by both countries.

In the evening, the Singapore delegation was hosted to dinner by Brunei Energy Minister Pehin Yasmin Umar.