| Wani Roslan |
THE Brunei Darussalam BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BD-BEBC) opened its third ‘BIMP-EAGA Culture and Food Expo in Tourism 2017’ yesterday at the Atrium of the Airport Mall in Berakas.
The expo, launched and officiated by the event’s guest of honour Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, aims to promote traditional cultures in BIMP-EAGA, promote traditional food and food tourism in the BIMP-EAGA region, as well as enrich knowledge on healthy living and food nutrition among the community.
In his welcoming address, BD-BEBC Chairman Pengiran Haji Yura Kesteria bin Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Dr Haji Mohd Yusof stated his belief that Halal food tourism has the potential to stimulate the growth and development of new tourism products and provide opportunities for the economy of the people from the BIMP-EAGA countries.
“Cultural tourism also has a great economic impact especially in increasing gross domestic product (GDP) and attracting the attention and interest of foreign investors and countries under BIMP-EAGA and its surroundings,” added the chairman.
He highlighted some activities which will be featured throughout the four-day event. These include exhibitions and the sale of BIMP-EAGA products, traditional dance performances, as well as cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs from Malaysia and Singapore.
Two books were also officially launched by the guest of honour during the expo: one titled ‘Fruits and Flowers in Cooking’ authored by Hajah Siti Zaleha from Brunei Darussalam, and ‘Happylicious Children Cook Book’ series by Mohana Gill from Malaysia.
The event additionally witnessed a Strategic Alliance Agreement signing ceremony between Bru Trade International Sdn Bhd, Insimika Worldwide Sdn Bhd, and Cottage and Youth Initiative Programme (CYiP).
Signing on behalf of Bru Trade International Sdn Bhd was the company’s managing director Ramlee bin Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Zainuddin, while signing on behalf of Insimika Worldwide Sdn Bhd was Dato’ Sri Erynna Haji Abdul Rashid, the company’s executive director. Representing and signing on behalf of CYiP was Captain (Rtd) Zailan Pehin Datu Kerma Setia Major (Rtd) Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Md Don, the body’s principal mentor.
The expo, which will end on July 30, is a collaboration between Brunei Tourism Development Department under the MPRT, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, CYiP, Youth Development Centre, Brunei Halal, and BD-BEBC.
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