| Danial Norjidi |
THE government is devising a food strategy for Brunei that will include government initiatives and investments across the whole food value chain.
This is because Brunei wants to leverage its status as a respected and devout Muslim country with its own Halal certification respected around the world for its quality and standards.
This was said by the Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, in a speech at the launch of a new range of bruneihalal products by wholly owned government company, Ghanim International Corporation, yesterday at The Airport Mall.
He highlighted that the government is currently pursuing initiatives to be efficient in doing business and noted that the World Bank recently visited Brunei and reviewed the country’s latest initiatives on Ease of Doing Business.
“We have done alright so far but there is still much work to be done,” he said. “By ensuring that Brunei is a place that would be easy and efficient to do business, this would in turn make Brunei an attractive place for foreign direct investment (FDI).”
Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar speaking at the launch of a new range of bruneihalal products by wholly owned government company, Ghanim International Corporation, yesterday at The Airport Mall. Also seen in the photo is Deputy Minister of Finance, Dato Paduka Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah. – AZROL AZMI
“We are looking to attract FDIs focusing on five main sectors,” he said. The five sectors are the Halal sector (which includes Halal food and Halal pharmaceuticals); business services (focusing primarily on logistics); tourism; innovative, technology and creative industries and leveraging on the country’s established Oil and Gas Industry.
“While Brunei certainly welcomes FDI as mentioned, it is important to note that the government itself is investing in the Brunei economy including in the Halal sector – particularly in food – with the role of Ghanim, as a wholly owned government company, being central to the government’s efforts.
“As it is, the government is currently devising a food strategy for Brunei that would include government initiatives and investments throughout the whole food value chain,” he said. “The focus on this is logical as we should leverage our status as a respected and devout Muslim country that has its own Halal certification respected around the world for its high quality and stringent standards.”
“This Halal certification is used by all bruneihalal products, which elevates its standing and quality standards.”
He said that as of recently, Brunei’s food strategy is gaining traction in both rhetoric and action. “We had once only known two options – importing food as we have always done, or growing food in our own backyard.”
“These were the only strategies we had before – alongside the continuous challenge of developing cottage industries and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Brunei.
“This is changing as we move towards a borderless world economically. Brunei is not left unaffected, and we need to have the urgency in order to close the gap faster, if we are to succeed.”
He said that there is no doubt that much needs to be done in the food industry in the country.
“We have come to realise that the players in this space need to start at the source – the growers, the manufacturers, the traders, the distributors, the retailers – before the consumers get to enjoy everything else that comes with the final product.
“It is evident that the involvement of our local SMEs is truly important for the future of the food industry in Brunei Darussalam and therefore there is much work to be done to involve our local SMEs in this food value chain.”
He noted that the 25 products launched yesterday through Ghanim were made with the collaboration and partnership of proud and determined local companies and SMEs already part of the food value chain in Brunei.
“FDIs in the food sector will play an integral role in delivering a full-scale supply chain system for Ghanim and other local businesses,” he said. “The expertise will come from both Brunei and outside, sourced from wherever we can bring to Brunei. And the hard work will continue in developing their quality systems and resources to optimal capacity.”
He highlighted recent FDIs in the food sector, including the establishment of Western Food and Packaging that will produce locally made margarine, sharing that the plant is expected to commence production later this year.
“We are very encouraged by this and there are plans in the pipeline for further FDI in the food sector including aquaculture and food processing. With the bruneihalal brand under Ghanim, we will see a full production line in the near future that will benefit the people and current industries, and further spur the potential of FDIs in Brunei relating to the food sector.”
“The potential for food processing in Brunei including the domestic and foreign distribution of food can generate the in-country value that Brunei needs to diversify its economy,” he added.
He noted in his speech that bruneihalal products are now in 103 TESCO stores and 114 ASDA stores all over the United Kingdom. “Bruneihalal will not only be a household name for Brunei, but that it is now a benchmark standard and brand for the world to look up as we grow around Southeast Asia, Europe and the Middle East.”
“This gives a lot of room for the government and its partners to think about – the government’s food strategy is an adaptation and evolution of various means to production, packaging, distribution and throughout the whole food value chain,” he said. “This will mean much more for the economy, much more for employment opportunities and much more for Brunei as a whole in achieving our Vision 2035.
“With that, I would like to thank Ghanim International Corporation, DARe (Darussalam Enterprise), FDI Action Support Centre (FAST) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs in working together and taking these steps to have a holistic strategy for food in Brunei Darussalam and for their support of local SMEs,” the minister added.
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