GHANIM International Corporation Sdn Bhd has signed significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) within the last few months.
Ghanim International Corporation is a state-owned enterprise in Brunei Darussalam that develops, markets and promotes high-quality Halal food products under the bruneihalalfoods brand with production bases and reliable suppliers across the world. It offers opportunities for local SMEs to export their products overseas under the bruneihalalfoods brand.
Ghanim International Corporation signed an MoU with the Universiti Brunei Darussalam School of Business and Economics (UBD SBE) on November 16, to create a platform for collaborative research and marketing activities as well to explore relevant initiatives and options to promote the Halal industry in Brunei Darussalam.
The MoU was signed by Dr Nur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of Ghanim International Corporation and Professor Ahmed Masood Khalid, Dean of UBD SBE. Witnessing the signing were Haji Sofian bin Mohammad Jani, Board Director of Ghanim International Corporation as guest of honour and Professor Dr David Koh Soo Quee, Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Innovation and Enterprise) of UBD.
Dr Nur Rahman alluded to the progress Ghanim has made during remarks at the aforementioned MoU signing, saying, “This event is the third of its kind in the span of less than a few months.”
“We have signed on with local manufacturers, the national airline carrier, a long-established distributor and now the biggest and most prestigious education institution in the country – UBD. However, this event is not only about a growing list of accomplishments for Ghanim, but the quality of the cooperation that is being cemented today.”
“At the heart of our organisational values is our endeavours to deliver bruneihalalfoods products and product solutions that are wholesome, innovative and trustworthy to the local and international market,” he said.
The Halal sector spans a whole host of opportunities in the areas of production and marketing of food, tourism, fashion, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, among others, he affirmed. He said that, to be able to succeed as an organisation, which intends to deliver itself as a global Halal brand within the remits of science and informed decisions, requires considerable effort and knowledge resources.
“We have our product development and market intelligence resource departments to guide the decisions that the organisation makes in production, marketing and distribution of Brunei Halal products,” he said, adding that they therefore see that UBD, through its subject matter experts, students and researchers, is a welcome addition to their cause.
He described the MoU between Ghanim International Corporation Sdn Bhd and UBD SBE as “an acknowledgement of a unified partnership that will draw on both organisations’ strengths and capabilities vis-a-vis research-based activities, student engagement programmes and awareness raising – a journey of many more activities to come behind-the-scenes and in the foreground.”
“Ghanim International Corporation and UBD will be bringing Brunei and Halal to a world that is more than ready to receive.” The main objectives of this collaborative engagement are to exchange information and ideas in marketing Halal products and services, organise joint forums to understand product needs, demography, markets and manufacturers and raise awareness and enhance the perception on Halal products and services.
The agreement also serves to explore avenues of collaboration for international marketing of bruneihalalfoods products through conferences, symposiums and invited experts in the area of Halal marketing.
To kick-start this collaboration, an international forum on Halal Industry and Market will be organised in 2018, through UBD SBE’s Islamic Finance and Halal Marketing research cluster. At the forum, invited national and international experts will share their knowledge and experience on production and marketing of Halal food, Halal tourism, Islamic fashion, Halal pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, among others.
Both parties have also agreed to undertake collaborative efforts for mutual benefit through student engagement programmes and research-based activities.
On November 9, Ghanim International Corporation signed a MoU with Jasra Harrisons Sdn Bhd for the supply of bruneihalalfoods products. Dr Nur Rahman signed on behalf of Ghanim International Corporation, while Jasra Harrisons Sdn Bhd was represented by its Managing Director, Pengiran Haji Ahmad bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman.
Jasra Harrisons Sdn Bhd is a local incorporated company which is principally engaged in the business of importing and distribution of fast moving consumer goods with the likes of Nestle, Evian and Volvic among its reputable line-up.
During a speech at the signing ceremony, Dr Nur Rahman said that as part of its growth strategy both in local and international markets, Ghanim International Corporation had its eyes on having bruneihalalfoods introduced to Brunei’s major industry players.
“We always intended to get to as many consumers and to as many places as possible,” he affirmed. “While Ghanim has been actively involved in its marketing operation with current players in the market, Jasra Harrisons Sdn Bhd’s support as a well-established and major industry player in the distribution sector further strengthens our endeavours.
“Simply put, we are growing as a company, growing in manpower, growing in products and growing in market penetration,” he said. “With Jasra Harrisons Sdn Bhd on board, our ambitions for further growth is no longer a mission statement, but a live activity to see through.”
He highlighted that the support that Jasra Harrisons has given in taking up a considerable number of Ghanim International Corporation Sdn Bhd’s products, particularly those produced by local SMEs for bruneihalalfoods is admirable.
Pengiran Haji Ahmad also spoke on the signing of the agreement, and said that Jasra Harrisons was delighted and proud to have been entrusted for the distribution and marketing of nutritious Halal food.
“We believe this appointment will be able to extend the presence and supply of Ghanim International Corporation (GIC) Sdn Bhd’s products in the country through our long-standing partner networks as well as new companies and firms, along with those who will become our partners.”
Another signing took place on September 18, when Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) and Ghanim International Corporation (GIC) signed a MoU for the supply of bruneihalalfoods products onboard RB flights.
The signing ceremony was held at the Royal Brunei Recreation Club, with Deputy Minister of Finance and GIC Chairman Dato Seri Paduka Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah attending as the guest of honour. Signing on behalf of RB was its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Karam Chand, while GIC was represented by its CEO Dr Nur Rahman.
In a speech, Chand noted that RB believes the high quality local Halal products from bruneihalalfoods will enhance guests’ experience and at the same time bring value to both companies.He said with its services well rated by guests – based on various research RB has conducted as well as independent organisations like Skytrax, RB looks to becoming a four-star airline in the near future, and partnerships such as this will play an important part in helping us achieve the ranking.
“Today marks a very special day when two sister companies formalise a strategic partnership to deliver customised products on board RB flights. This is a long term partnership and we will continue to add more products over time,” Chand added.
Meanwhile, Dr Nur Rahman noted that as part of its growth strategy both in local and international markets, Ghanim has set its sight on having bruneihalalfoods introduced to Brunei’s major industry players, and has always intended to get to as many consumers and as many places as possible.
“As the national carrier, RB was the obvious choice. However, it wasn’t just a matter of selection and Ghanim International Corporation knew what needed to be done and is very grateful to RB for giving them the opportunity,” he said.
“Our aspiration of becoming a major player on the global platform is also coming to realisation as a result of this cooperation.
“As we strengthen our capabilities to live by our organisational values of delivering Wholesome – Innovative – Trustworthy products, there are many more products in the line-up that we are excited to share and develop with RB. We do not want to just be a product supplier; we will endeavour to be a provider of product solutions,” he added.
