Brunei: MIPR goals for Brunei Halal Brand stand

BRUNEI is sticking to its original plan to use the Brunei Halal Brand as a platform for local products to reach the export markets although many of the products under the brand were made overseas, the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources yesterday said.

During the Seventh State Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar said Brunei has exported 31 products under the brand so far, a move which is part of the initial plan for the brand to gain recognition.

“But this is not on purpose,” said the minister who was fielding questions from LegCo Member Dato Paduka Hj Idris Hj Abas on the brand’s progress so far. “The original plan and (still remains our focus) is for local products to use the brand as a platform to gain exposure and business in foreign markets,” he said.

Since its creation in August 2008, the Brunei Halal Brand has now made its way to Singaporean market and is on sale at Singapore’s National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) Fairprice outlets.

“We have discussions with NTUC to also carry a few local products besides the Brunei Halal Brand and now, we are already looking at opportunities in Europe and the Middle East,” said Pehin Dato Hj Yahya.

Minister of Religious Affairs Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abdul Rahman added that the hope for Brunei would be associated with the halal brand’s reputation, regionally and internationally.

“We hope to bring our goods, products and resources to the international level,” he added.

With Brunei’s strong Islamic background, Pg Dato Dr Hj Mohammad said that both the halal brand and Islamic finance is a niche market that the country can leverage on. The Brunei Times