MATRADE officials discuss possible joint venture with local SMEs

By Ben Ng

BMCCI Deputy President, Dr Hj Kamaruddin DSP Hj Talib, along with Executive Member, Hj Hanafi
POKDGDRSDLU Hj Abd Rahman, discusses issues ranging from food security to agricultural
opportunities. – BEN NG

Representatives from a Malaysian export promotion agency – Malaysia External Trade Development
Corporation (MATRADE) – met with officials from the Brunei Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(BMCCI) yesterday in a bid to explore joint venture opportunities for many of the small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) in Brunei Darussalam and neighbouring Sabah.

MATRADE Director, Syed Zahirulddin Syed Ali, along with his deputy, Azmir Ab Ghaffar, are also in the
Sultanate to participate in the four-day Brunei International Halal Products Expo (IHPE) 2009 that begins
today at the International Convention Centre.

BMCCI Deputy President, Dr Hj Kamaruddin DSP Hj Talib, along with Executive Member, Hj Hanafi
POKDGDRSDLU Hj Abd Rahman, discussed issues ranging from food security to agricultural
opportunities in nearby Sabah that is very rich in resources with their Malaysian counterparts.

“We are looking to export food products in particular, and also looking for joint ventures with local
companies in Brunei,” Syed Zahirulddin told reporters yesterday.

In conjunction with the IHPE, the MATRADE officials are also seeking first-hand information from the
BMCCI to enhance and promote trade relations between the two bodies.

“It would make a lot of sense to seek joint ventures taking into consideration the close proximity of Brunei
and Sabah, who both have a lot of SMEs,” the Director noted. The MATRADE officials are also looking
for buyers to come to their business-meeting programme in November this year – Intrade Malaysia 2009 –
that will serve as an effective venue for foreign importers to source Malaysia’s wide range of products and
services.