| Danial Norjidi |
A STRATEGIC alliances agreement was signed between International Halal Trade Hub and Services Sdn Bhd (IHTHS) from Brunei Darussalam and PT Winmas Logistics from Indonesia at the Knowledge Hub yesterday.
The agreement was signed by Associate Adviser and Director of the IHTHS Board of Executive Directors Haji Ramlee bin Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Zainuddin and PT Winmas Logistics CEO Iwan Mulyadi Yudadi.
The guest of honour was Executive Chairman of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Business Council Pengiran Haji Yura Kesteria bin Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Dr Haji Mohd Yusof.
Minister Counsellor for Economic Affairs at the Indonesian Embassy in Brunei Darussalam Eko Himawan was also present.
Adviser to IHTHS and Head of SME Development at the BIMP-EAGA Business Council Brunei Darussalam Captain (Rtd) Zailan bin Pehin Datu Kerma Setia Major (Rtd) Dato Seri Laila Jasa Mohd Don explained that the strategic alliances agreement between IHTHS and PT Winmas Logistics is “on logistic provision for online and offline trading, managing the BIMP-EAGA trade route from Tanjung Priok to Kalimantan to Batam to Sarawak to Brunei and to Labuan”.
“The primary focus is to provide effective logistic services for SME development toward the economic activities across the trade route emphasising on the Halal Supply Chain,” he shared.
“However we acknowledge the challenges that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) faced, a generic situation everywhere in the world, which include limited access to finance, technologies and markets; lack of management skills and market information; as well as inadequate capacity for compliance with standards and qualify requirements, but these challenges are just common issues.
“New challenges require new responses and we must understand that when times change, so must we and we have to adjust,” he continued. “The existence of the new generation enterprises – the ‘i-generation SMEs’ – is the rule of nature, which is an obvious current trend that requires great attention and understanding.”
Captain (Rtd) Zailan affirmed that this new generation of enterprises is adapting and embracing technologies to benefit their businesses, from offline to online business, which influence the evolution of “consumer 4.0”.
He added that these alter the course of the logistic services to be more collective and demanding.
“IHTHS’ current capacities and strength on logistic services is based on the alliances agreements,” he said. “IHTHS group strategic alliances for logistic services comprises of AFL Hong Kong, Cargolink Indonesia and AGL Malaysia on Regional route, FSM Sarawak, Tri Star Shipping and Trading Co Sdn Bhd and Concord Transworld Logistic on BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN routes, and Labuan Halal Hub Sdn Bhd on the global route for trading services and logistic facilities.”
He highlighted that IHTHS within its ability will play a leading role as part of the private sector initiatives for Brunei moving toward a sustainable economy on non-oil and gas, which he said requires strong teamwork and a conclusive understanding of the current economic trend.
“At the current phase, IHTHS hopes to stand resilient and progressive with all the strategic alliances and productive toward the ASEAN Economy on Halal Market.”
Captain (Rtd) Zailan added that promoting the Brunei Halal industry requires a good understanding of economic principles and Syariah compliance.
“I hope that today’s effort will continue to bridge the economic activities between BIMP-EAGA nations and the ASEAN in tune with the realities of our time and this will never end. With a series of dialogues and regular meetings I foresee a good prospective to achieve a common ground for this initiative to benefit all entities,” he concluded.