Thailand, Brunei team up in food

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Thailand and Brunei will foster cooperation on agriculture with a focus on food and halal products.

Brunei wants to reduce its economic dependence on oil, says Apichart Phetcharatana, Thailand's ambassador to the Sultanate. (Photo by Anucha Charoenpo)
Brunei wants to reduce its economic dependence on oil, says Apichart Phetcharatana, Thailand’s ambassador to the Sultanate. (Photo by Anucha Charoenpo)

The collaboration is in line with Brunei’s long-term development plan launched in 2008 to reduce the Sultanate’s reliance on oil and gas by diversifying its economy by 2035.

Brunei plans to transform itself over the next two decades from a country almost wholly dependent on the oil and gas sector to a regional trading, alternative energy, food security and agricultural farming economy, he said.

Thailand sells about 32,000 tonnes a year of rice to Brunei, more than 90% of it high-quality jasmine rice. It also exports durians and mangoes to Brunei.

The memorandum of understanding to be signed will foster ties in the agricultural field as Brunei could tap the agricultural skills of Thailand and the kingdom can expand cooperation on halal food production, as the products from Brunei are internationally recognised, he added.

Thailand and Brunei are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Brunei is chair of the 10-member grouping this year.