Brunei participates in Halal Expo Japan 2016

By Danial Norjidi, Borneo Bulletin

BRUNEI Darussalam recently participated in the Japan Halal Expo 2016 in Tokyo, and also held the Brunei Halal Business Seminar on the sidelines of the expo.

The Japan Halal Expo 2016 was held at Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Centre Taito-kan located at the city of Asakusa, an advanced Halal area in Tokyo on November 22-23.

The expo was organised by the Halal Expo Japan 2016 Organising Committee, carrying the theme ‘Halal for All’.

Seven local companies and one higher education institution represented Brunei Darussalam at the Expo facilitated by the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Among the sectors represented by these companies are the Halal food and pharmaceuticals; Islamic education; eco-tourism; Muslimah fashion; and cosmetics.

At the expo, the participating companies were able to meet with Halal business leaders and entrepreneurs in the region, develop a greater knowledge on trade of Halal products and services, and explore ways to collaborate with entrepreneurs from, not only Japan, but also international participations of the expo.

Furthermore, the participants had a chance to create a customer database and conduct market research through consumer feedback on their products and services from the expo visitors, as a way to improve their marketing.

On the sidelines of the Japan Halal Expo, a Brunei Halal Business Seminar was held on November 22 at the Taito Kumin Kaikan.

The seminar was jointly organised by the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Japan External Trade Organisation, Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia, and the Asean-Japan Centre.

The theme for the Seminar was ‘Invest in Brunei Darussalam – Opportunities in the Halal Industry’ and saw about 60 participants representing Japanese companies from various sectors, interested in the Brunei Darussalam Halal Industry.

Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office, Brunei Darussalam as the guest of honour delivered opening remarks at the seminar.

Also present to deliver the welcoming and introductory remarks were Shigeki Maeda, Executive Vice President of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Professor Hidetoshi Nishimura, President of the Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (ERIA) respectively.

During the seminar, a representative from the Brunei Economic Development Board delivered a presentation regarding the investment and business climate in Brunei Darussalam.

A presentation on a study of the Halal Industry Investment in Brunei Darussalam by ERIA was shared to highlight the advantages and competitiveness of doing business in Brunei Darussalam focusing on the Halal industry.

Representatives from MC Biotech Sdn Bhd, Simpor Pharma Sdn Bhd and Ghanim International Corporation Sdn Bhd also delivered presentations about the business and investment prospects in Brunei Darussalam especially for foreign companies interested to set up and operate in Brunei Darussalam.

The objective of the seminar was to introduce the opportunities in Brunei Darussalam’s Halal industry to prospective Japanese investors and companies. It is hoped that with a deeper understanding of the Halal sector and its opportunities, a greater number of investment into Brunei Darussalam’s Halal industry can be attracted from Japan.

The seminar included a networking and one-on-one session with potential Japanese investors.