Philippines Mulls Use Of Brunei Halal Brand

Bandar Seri Begawan – The Philippines is considering adopting the Brunei Halal Brand as one of the areas of cooperation that the two nations can venture into, while continuing into the second year of bilateral ties in agriculture, Philippines’ outgoing ambassador here said yesterday.

“As we enter the second year of our collaboration in agriculture, our challenge is to work together in other areas of mutual interest Brunei’s possible investment in agribusiness estates in Mindanao (such as that in corn, pineapple, banana, mariculture, poultry and livestock) and developing the halal industry, including the use of the Brunei Halal Brand,” said Alexander B Yano.

“In our view, our partnership in these areas is a win-win situation. It shall contribute not only to Brunei’s food security, but also to lasting peace and development in southern Philippines,” he added.

During a ceremony to mark the first year after Brunei’s Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources and the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Agricultural Cooperation, the ambassador recalled some of the achievements, particularly in human resource development. that took place in the first year.

The Philippines has sent 26 rice scientists and 34 technical personnel to assist in rice research and development in Brunei, he said.

Some of these experts were also facilitating the farmers’ field school, which was launched officially yesterday during the ceremony.

Staff from Brunei’s Department of Agriculture and Agrifood along with personnel from the Wasan Vocational School have also undergone capacity enhancement training at the Philippines Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

“These initiatives are meant to sustain, over the long term, our ongoing efforts to improve Brunei’s rice productivity and raise the people’s consciousness on the importance of food security,” Yano said.

“We, therefore, look forward to taking our cooperation in agriculture to the next level in the coming months, with a view to enhancing agri-related trade and investment between our two countries,” he added.

Industry and Primary Resources Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bairn said the srgning of the MoU reflected efforts towards realising His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s vision, who, repeatedly stressed the need for Brunei to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production and food security.

The minister thanked the Philippines and PhilRice for their assistance in capacity building in rice production and hoped that this cooperation will be expanded to areas other than rice.

The minister was also presented with purified Laila seeds, Brunei’s national rice variety, that underwent purification in the Philippines. The ceremony took place at the Rimba Horticulture Business Centre.

The Brunei Times