Brunei signs MOU supplement with Japanese company

THE
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR), Brunei Economic
Development Board (BEDB) and Pharmex Japan Co Ltd yesterday signed a
Supplement to the Memorandum of Understanding, in a ceremony witnessed
by the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya
Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka
Hj Bakar; the Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Dato
Paduka Awg Hj Hamdillah bin Hj Abd Wahab; and the Acting Chairman of
the BEDB, Dato Paduka Timothy Ong, a press release from MIPR stated.

Signing on behalf of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and
Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was the Permanent Secretary at the
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid
bin Hj Mohd Jaafar, while Mr Vincent Cheong,

CEO of BEDB, signed on behalf of the Board and Mr Osamu Sato, Chairperson Representative signed on behalf of Pharmex Co Ltd.







The Supplement extends the duration of the MoU that was signed on February 28, 2008, by a further two years.

The MoU will further firm up details which could potentially lead to
the setting up of an estimated US$250 million manufacturing plant in
the Agro-Technology Park.

The development follows on the heels of the recent decision by Viva
Pharmaceuticals to locate a manufacturing facility that focuses on
developing halal medical and health supplements at the site.

The initiative is seen as a further reflection on the commitment of
His Majesty’s Government towards creating a conducive environment for
investments in the halal industry sector.