| Hakim Hayat |
LOCAL bio-technological product developer Amin Bio-Technology Sdn Bhd (AMIN) is set to break into the vast Chinese market with its patented probiotics food supplement derived from the potent plant petai or stink beans which is native to Brunei Darussalam and countries from around the Southeast Asian region.
The company’s Chairman Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Ruzaini bin Pengiran Dr Haji Mohd Yakub in an interview with the Weekend Bulletin said that their participation in the inaugural China International Import Expo (CIIE) held at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai, China earlier this month has unleashed vast potential for export and collaboration with not only the Chinese market, but also international markets that see the Sultanate as a trusted and premium producer.
The tropical plant, also known by its scientific name parkia speciosa is distinct for its taste and smell but is widely consumed for its potent elements and antioxidants that is said to have significant health benefits and has been used in folk medicine around the region for hundreds of years to help alleviate various diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Petai is also said to be a good source of minerals, and is especially high in calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and iron and is also high in fibre, and contains considerable amounts of vitamins, making it one of the most nutritious local vegetables.
The product that comes in a capsule from is developed by AMIN in collaboration with researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, by making use of the latest and advanced bio-technology to extract the ingredients of the Petai and transform it into a pro-biotic capsule that can be easily ingested with a 99.9 per cent absorption rate, according to Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Ruzaini.
During the five-day expo in Shanghai, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Ruzaini said they have received an encouraging response from visitors who enquired further on the product, offering the opportunity to collaborate to market the product in China. Meanwhile, AMIN’s Chief Executive Officer Abdullah bin Haji Omar @ Wen Rongzhen said, “Petai has so long been seen as a food beneficial for the health so with our technology, this product is easily accessible and consumed.”
Abdullah also said that prior to entering the China market, their exhibits had been sold to the US and Canada. The company is also currently in the development phase of other probiotics and peptide food supplement products derived from oysters and peanuts.
As the only company from Brunei participating in the exhibition, AMIN sees the expo as a new turning point for its development in China and looks forward to bring a new concept of health management to Chinese consumers.
The inaugural CIIE was held to underscore Beijing’s demonstration of commitment to globalisation and openness to international trade and offered companies a platform to link up with potential buyers from the world’s second biggest economy.
Over 130 countries with more than 500,000 buyers from China and abroad participated in the expo.