| Danial Norjidi |
THE success in operations of the margarine manufacturing plant Western Foods and Packaging Sdn Bhd (WFP) is a showcase to other companies of what can be done in Brunei Darussalam with regards to foreign direct investment (FDI).
This was shared by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin during an interview on the sidelines of the WFP product launch event yesterday.
Speaking on the importance of WFP in terms of the drive to attract FDIs into Brunei Darussalam, the deputy minister said, “I think when they are successful, when they are operating, it’s a showcase to other companies that we can do it in Brunei. That’s important.”
He said that when people, especially from the non-oil sector, start operating and doing well in Brunei, it generates curiosity and will make others not want to miss the opportunity themselves. “That’s why it is important for us to make sure that whatever operations are here are successful ones.”
“Actions speak louder than words, so when they see this in operation, they will come in. Confidence will be there,” he said.
He described the WFP product launch as a good step. “They are catering to not only for consumers, but also for our food industry.”
He noted that margarine is a main ingredient for food products such as cakes and biscuits in particular. “So by having them in here, we will be able to improve the cost of production.”
The deputy minister affirmed that this can help improve local companies, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to be more competitive.
He said that local companies can not only capitalise on local market but also be able to become players at a regional or even an international level.
“So they will help these local companies to go to another level,” he added.
“This is what we hope for, and overtime we will produce more commodities that will be able to serve and support our local SMEs to grow their industries.”