| Aziz Idris in Nanning, China |
ANOTHER milestone was reached during the 13th China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) with the signing of several more cooperative agreements between Brunei and Chinese companies based in Guangxi underlining the importance of economic ties and long-standing relation between both parties.
The Guangxi based companies involved in the signings are the Shenglong New Energy Automobile Co Ltd, Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group Co Ltd, Guangxi Ruian Logistics (Group) Co Ltd, Guangxi Hiseaton Foods Co Ltd and Guangxi Zhongli Enterprise Group which signed the agreements yesterday in a ceremony at Marriott Hotel, Nanning, China.
The first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) and Shenglong New Energy Automobile Co Ltd – represented by its President, Zhong Wang – sees the proposed investment to develop a manufacturing and assembly plant for electric and new energy powered vehicles (ie mopeds, renewable cars, buses and engines) in Brunei Darussalam.
Shenglong Energy Automobile Co Ltd has extensive capabilities and experience in manufacturing electric vehicles and is a new entity formed for the potential projects in Brunei Darussalam.
The agreement will create opportunities by developing new jobs and skills for the local population and at the same time lead to significant increase in export.
Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd and Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group Co Ltd – represented by the Chairman, Zhou XiaoXi- later signed a term sheet for the proposed establishment of Joint Venture Company to operate and develop the Muara Port in Brunei Darussalam.
Since Beibu’s establishment, Beibu Gulf Port Group has invested nearly RMB50 billion in the construction of over 50 berths. In 2014, Beibu acquired Kuantan Port in Malaysia and became its controlling shareholder. Beibu has five main activities namely Port, Logistics, Industry & Trade, Investment and Real Estate.
Beibu has interest to develop Muara Port into a world class international port, and the group is also keen to look at the expansion of the port activities on Pulau Muara Besar together with the development of a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) and Industrial Park to cater for various industrial activities as part of the ports ecosystem.
Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II and Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, the Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office together with Yang Jian, the Ambassador of China to Brunei and other prominent Chinese officials, witnessing the milestone agreement. – AZIZ IDRIS
The booth of Brunei is seen in an exhibition centre in Nanning, capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, September 10. – XINHUA
Meanwhile, BEDB and Guangxi Zhongli Enterprise Group – represented by the Chief Operating Officer, Yongson Chan – signed a Non-Binding MoU for the establishment of an integrated oyster cultivation and processing centre in Brunei Darussalam.
Zhongli is one of the largest private company in Guangxi province with experience of over 30 years spanning from ceramics to real estate, finance, biotechnology and aquaculture. In 2014, Zhongli started venturing into the oyster industry through a strategic alliance with Qingzhou Haihua Industry Tech Company.
According to Yongson Chan, the companies hopes to expand its operations by undertaking value-add processing of oysters including processing of oyster sauce, dried oysters and oyster-related snacks as well as leverage on Brunei halal brand and certification.
Following this was the signing of a Letter of Intent between The Strategic Development Capital under the Ministry of Finance (Brunei) and Guangxi Ruian Logistics (Group) Co Ltd – represented by the Board Chairman , Chen Min – for the processing and trading of Brunei Halal certified spices.
Established in 2014, Ruian’s core business is in trading and logistics (shipping agency, land transportation and freight). As part of its business, the group is actively involved in trading of spices. It supplies 75 per cent of cinnamons and 40 per cent of star anise spices to the world. The group reported an annual turnover of approximately RMB40 million.
The group is keen to establish a trading centre in Brunei Darussalam to leverage on Brunei’s Halal certification to further penetrate the Muslim market.
Capitalising on the Brunei Halal brand, the group is also keen to expand their processing operations and look into higher value products that can be used in the health supplements and pharmaceutical industry.
Lastly, BEDB and Guangxi Hiseaton Foods Co Ltd signed an MoU with respect to the Offshore Sea Caged Farming and Processing Project in Brunei Darussalam.
Since its first visit in 2015, Guangxi Hiseaton Food Co Ltd has been facilitated by various agencies under the Brunei Government to finalise the project proposal, obtain project approval and project implementation.
In September, a group of Chinese scientists and experts in aquaculture will be invited to Brunei Darussalam by Guangxi Hiseaton Food Co Ltd for the establishment of the Brunei China Aquaculture Research Centre (BCARC).
The objective of BCARC is to enhance the academic exchange between Brunei and China in the hope to retain key research and development achievements as well as intellectual properties in Brunei Darussalam.
Signing on-behalf of the respective Bruneian companies was BEBD’s Head of Foreign Direct Investment, Harris Ibrahim.
Present to witness the signing of the agreements were Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II and Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, the Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office together with Yang Jian, the Ambassador of China to Brunei and other prominent Chinese officials.
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