Brunei to register Halal certification process in UK

BRUNEI plans to register its halal certification internationally to help local entrepreneurs expand Brunei-Halal-Logobeyond the sultanate, the Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office said yesterday.

The sultanate is currently in the process of registering the Brunei Halal certification process and logo in the UK, said Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Mohammad Yasmin Hj Umar.

Speaking at the 12th Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting, the minister said registration in countries in the Middle East, ASEAN, Japan, China and Korea, will also be implemented in stages this year.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Md Yasmin said Brunei is also considering awarding halal certificates to factories overseas to promote the Brunei Halal certificate.

Brunei has developed guidelines for the manufacturing and handling of halal cosmetic products which will be launched this year, he said.

“I want to explain that the global halal industry is estimated at US $2.3 trillion annually (approximately $3.18 trillion). From this amount, US$1.37 trillion is under the halal food sector, US$46 billion is from the cosmetic sector, and US$72 billion in the pharmaceutical sector,” said the minister.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Md Yasmin said Brunei is focusing on the improvement of halal food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals manufacturing.

He said Brunei has been actively attracting foreign investments.

“A number of companies from Japan, Korea, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, have been identified and several meetings had been held with the companies (in those countries),” he said.

Alhamdulillah, the companies that are keen to invest in Brunei and they are currently designing and preparing an investment proposal with BEDB (Brunei Economic Development Board) in the near future.”

YB Pehin Dato Hj Md Yasmin said the government has allocated a site specifically for the halal industry at the Bio-Innovation Corridor (BIC) in Kg Tungku.

BIC has basic infrastructure including roads and electricity which will help foreign investors to start up their businesses in the sultanate.

“Currently, MC Biotech Sdn Bhd, (a local joint-venture with Japan in pharmacy), is building a factory for the production of food coloring at BIC. The factory is expected to begin operations in July this year,” the minister said.

The establishment of the BIC was initiated by the former Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (now known as the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism), which aims at attracting investments and promote the development of Halal Certified Industries in Brunei.

It also plans to create a mixed use environment to accommodate research and innovative technology applications.

The Brunei Times