Myanmar President U Thein Sein left Nay Pyi Taw Monday to pay a state visit to Brunei, aimed at promoting relations between the two countries, according to official sources.

Thein Sein's visit is the first to the country as president since January 2008 when he visited the southeast Asian nation as prime minister.

Brunei, which stands the 7th largest trade partner of Myanmar among ASEAN nations, mostly trade with Myanmar in gems, jade and jewelry.

In July 2007, Brunei exempted tariff on 204 items of products imported from Myanmar under the ASEAN Integration System of Preference program.