The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA; Malay: Kementerian Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri, KHELN), formerly known as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT),[6][7] is the cabinet-level ministry in the government of Brunei which is responsible for handling Brunei's external relations, the management of its international diplomatic missions and the nation's foreign trade policy.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.[8] 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 addition of "Foreign Trade" to the ministry's official name was made to reflect the full scope of its responsibilities.[9] From 2005 until 2018, Lim Jock Seng was the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade.