| Azlan Othman |
A GROUP of 14 business delegates from the Yunnan Province in China is currently in the country to explore business and investment opportunities, particularly in Halal food sector, agriculture and tourism.
The delegation was briefed by the Brunei Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DPPMB) led by its Secretary-General, Haji Awang Ghazali bin Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama (Dr) Haji Awang Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri, who said so many foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities are now open to overseas investors provided they qualify and meet the criteria.
“The relevant agencies in Brunei Darussalam will first make assessments on the capability of the investors and later make recommendations to the relevant ministries. The chamber is more than happy to make recommendations for the investors and tell them how easier it is to carry out FDIs here in the Sultanate,” he said.
Haji Awang Ghazali added that the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office has urged the DPPMB to be the focal centre for business relating to Brunei Darussalam and China and also invited local businesses for business matching sessions.
Meanwhile Zhao Jincai, the Vice-President of Yunnan Provincial General Chamber of Commerce said that prior to his visit in Brunei, they visited Singapore and Malaysia to look at business opportunities.
Zhao Jincai, Vice-President of Yunnan Provincial General Chamber of Commerce, exchanging souvenirs with Secretary-General of the Brunei Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Haji Awang Ghazali bin Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama (Dr) Haji Awang Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri. – AZLAN OTHMAN
The Chinese delegation inquired which industries in the Sultanate provide good opportunities for investors or which industry they could be involved in and how they could connect to other chambers of commerce and industries here.
In his response, Haji Zainal bin Haji Harun from ‘Back to Nature’ Tour Services Sdn Bhd and a member of the DPPMB highlighted the pristine forests in the Sultanate as a unique selling point.
“Seventy per cent of the land area here is still covered with forest and preserved as a natural environment. Hence there is a big potential for eco-tourism. In fact, about 60-70 per cent of tourists coming to Brunei Darussalam is from China,” he said.
Meanwhile, Haji Abdul Rahman, Business Management Member of the chamber said agriculture is another potential area that Yunnan businessmen could tap into, where they can repackage their products using the stringent Brunei Halal logo and export to overseas markets.
“We also need to find new technologies, good processing methods and trained staff to produce effective products,” he said.
Pengiran Haji Haris bin Pengiran Haji Duraman, the SME member of the chamber from the Riza Group, highlighted opportunities in poultry farming industry where China can become a joint partner.
A Chinese businessman has shown keen interest in getting chicken feet supplied from Brunei, he added.
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