James Kon
Ambassador of France to Brunei Darussalam Christian Ramage, Ambassador of Thailand to Brunei Darussalam Wanthanee Viputwongsakul, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Representative Andrew Lee, United States Embassy in Brunei Darussalam Charge d’Affaires Emily Fleckner, National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei Darussalam (NCCIBD) President Haji Mohammad Hanafi bin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Abdul Rahman, Brunei Darussalam BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BD BEBC) Chairman Pengiran Haji Haris bin Pengiran Haji Duraman and local business leaders visited Golden Corporation Sdn Bhd (GC) and its shrimp farms recently.
GC Managing Director Richard Chuang invited them to take a closer look at the company’s operation.
After savouring seafood dishes featuring shrimps and fish sourced from GC, the guests watched a presentation before touring the facilities.
Chuang said the integrated seafood company was established with the support of the government of Brunei.
He said the farm’s shrimp output in 2020 was 2,800 metric tonnes, compared to 500 metric tonnes in 2019.
It is expected to reach more than 6,000 metric tonnes this year. The produce is sold locally and exported to Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and China.
Chuang briefed the guests during a tour of the factory and offices including highlighting the adaptability of the new production system and new feed and health products. The final leg of the tour was at the shrimp farm to see farm upkeep activities and shrimp collection using nets.
GC is a foreign direct investment (FDI) company established in 2002. The company started as a hatchery for shrimp and fish fry before expanding into shrimp farms, fishmeal and feed mill plants, and in 2012, set up the first integrated seafood processing plant in Brunei.
With over BND50 million invested to develop the seafood industry in Brunei, GC employs over 200 local employees manning three shrimp farms in the Tutong District as well as three processing plants in Tutong and Brunei-Muara districts.
GC’s success makes Brunei one of only two countries that successfully cultivate blue shrimp.
GC also invested in fishing vessels capable of operating in Brunei’s deep marine zone to catch Yellow Fin Tuna, Skipjacks, and other marine fish that can be turned into value-added products such as surimi.
Because of GC’s vast potential, Oman Brunei Investment Company (OBIC) – a joint venture between the State General Reserve Fund of Oman and Brunei Investment Agency – acquired 50 per cent of GC in November 2019. With OBIC’s investment, GC increased aquaculture production for more export opportunities.