| Lyna Mohamad |
INDIAN High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Nagma Mohamed Mallick highlighted Brunei-India trade in her keynote speech at the Power Lunch 2018 hosted yesterday by the Brunei Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DPPMB).
Organised by DPPMB’s strategic partner Creative Sdn Bhd, the event at the Radisson Hotel in the capital saw Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong as the guest of honour.
The high commissioner noted that Brunei Investment Agency has made portfolio investments into India with Indian investors in return venturing in different sectors from chemicals, construction, service sector to the oil and gas industry.
She said the two countries can increase their cooperation ties particularly in the information and communication technology (ICT) such as customised software programming for local and regional clients with Brunei as the hub.
Training and capacity development is another area that has potential. The high commissioner pointed out that India can provide skilled individuals for training in ICT and specialised sectors like medical testing as well as digitalisation to cut bureaucracy, minimise paperwork and increase transparency.
Highlighting the titah of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at the recent opening of the 14th Legislative Council (LegCo) Meeting where the monarch mentioned self-sufficiency in rice and enhancing productivity in agriculture, the high commissioner suggested that this is another field of cooperation that the two countries can engage in.
She said India has gone from being a food grain importer till the 1960s to being a net exporter of food grains, including rice and wheat, today even though the country has a much bigger population now.
Crediting the Green Revolution that India went through in the 1970s, she added that India would be happy to share its expertise with the Brunei government to bring to fruition the directive of His Majesty on the importance of gaining self-sufficiency, especially in rice.
Yesterday’s event initiated with the welcoming remarks by DPPMB President Dr Haji Kamaruddin bin Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib.
Dr Haji Kamaruddin called on the business community to heed the call of His Majesty for more diversification in the economy and strengthen local talent and expertise.
“The Power Lunch is a platform where we encourage our members to raise and exchange views, ideas and creative solutions to our socio-economic challenges. We are trying our best to do the inside out approach where we showcase the success stories of our local talents as well as bringing expertise from outside to share new insights on the business landscape globally.”
He extended appreciation to Royal Brunei Airlines as their VIP Sponsor as well as the support of BAG Networks, Adinin Group, Bureau Veritas, Masshor Group of Companies, BAG Networks, Serikandi Oilfield Services and Salishah & Sons.
The three-hour event featured experts that provided insights on skills and knowledge, industry and opportunities for local businesses. The event was participated by the business community including representatives of chambers and business associations as well as representatives of leading government agencies and foreign missions based here.
The power lunch provided a group of interesting and diverse speakers as well as an opportunity for local businesses to learn from community leaders as well as provide networking opportunities with DPPMB members and guests.
The event also saw an ‘Our Story’ talk featuring success stories from Brunei’s home grown talents – Waiz Maidin of Dimension and Saedah binti Hasnal of BRUVERA.