THE
opportunity to further enhance trade cooperation between Brunei and
Australia particularly in promoting Brunei Halal Brand, seem to be wide
open with a business delegation from Australia expected to be in the
Sultanate later this year.
Speaking to The Brunei Times, the
National President of Australia-Brunei Darussalam Business Council
(Australia) and Councillor, Adelaide City Council Francis Wong, spoke
of his commitment and support for the Brunei Halal Brand initiative.
Originally
from Brunei, the councillor said he was going to work closely with the
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR), to help raise the
profile and awareness of the Brunei Halal Brand in Australia.
Wong
was in Brunei for a short trip recently when he met Permanent Secretary
of MIPR, Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid Hj Jaafar and Director of
Agriculture, Hjh Normah Suria Hayati PJDSMDSU (Dr) Hj Mohd Jamil
Al-Sufri.
He said that he was greatly impressed by the
collateral aid put together by the ministry and would be back in Brunei
in the middle of the year with business representatives from probably
10 to 15 companies.
Brunei Halal Brand was given a significant boost when His Majesty visited the “land down under” in 2005 and 2007 respectively.
“The
image of the Brunei Halal Brand is one that is clean, and pure,” said
Wong, who also stressed that further business cooperation between the
two nations could be made such as in agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Wong
feels that it is a great time to invest in Brunei and that with the
right support and backing, the brand can be developed itself further.
Meanwhile
the MIPR is planning to organise roadshows in Australia next month,
with possible presentations to Australia’s State Governments.
Brunei
Darussalam’s International Halal Expo will be held in August this year,
with Australia among the participating countries.
The Brunei Times
