| Danial Norjidi |
A WORKSHOP on small and medium enterprise (SME) engagement for the National Food Strategy Development was yesterday held as part of the Brunei Halal Showcase (BruHAS) 2016.
Held at the Design and Technology Building in Anggerek Desa Technology Park, the workshop was organised by the Global Halal Industry Development Division (GHID) of the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office (EIDPMO) in collaboration with Ghanim International Corporation Sdn Bhd and DARE (Darussalam Enterprise).
The workshop was held as part of EIDPMO’s efforts to create awareness on the development of the local Halal industry, specifically in National Food Strategy. Most of the local SMEs invited to attend the workshop are from the local food industry.
The event saw talks presented by two invited speakers, the first of which was on ‘Australian Northern Territory Government Experience & Approach to Industry Development’ by Anthony Cheng, a representative of Northern Territory Government, Australia.
Based in the Austrade Office in Singapore, Cheng is the Northern Territory’s representative for Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. The Office of Asian Engagement, Trade and Investment spearheads Northern Territory Government’s international engagements by working with foreign governments, the private sector and community organisations to market and advance the Northern Territory’s interests overseas.
The second presentation was delivered by Ray Khabbaz, the Director of Australian Wholefoods, and was entitled, ‘Hello Tomorrow: A transitional discussion on global trends in food and business, drawing on success stories from abroad.’
An overview of the workshop. – AZROL AZMI
Khabbaz is a highly successful entrepreneur who has been self-employed for 40 years and has owned and operated numerous businesses during this period of time.
In an EIDPMO press release, it was stated that through the sharing of knowledge and experiences from food industry experts invited from Australia, it is hoped that the workshop will increase local SMEs’ capability and growth in the food sector and further develop and sustain the food industry.
EIDPMO wishes to continue its efforts to support local SMEs in their business venture to be more competitive and become global players in the food sector through facilitating local SME discussions with the Australian experts.
EIDPMO hopes that this will create further support on the national economic diversification programme.
“By increasing awareness on the local Halal industry, EIDPMO also aims to further increase regional and global awareness on Brunei’s strategy on its Halal industry, making Brunei an investment destination for the Halal industry not only in the food sector but also in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sector,” the press release added.
General comments from local SMEs at the event were positive. The talks were found to be inspirational and informative, especially on topics of how to sustain a business and how to successfully develop new products.
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