Singapore delegates see potential in business ventures with local counterparts

By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Group photo of guests, SMCCI and board of directors of Koperasi
ITM Berhad when hosted to a dinner by the latter during their recent
trade visit to Brunei. – ROSLI ABIDIN YAHYA

The recently-concluded trip to the Sultanate by a trade delegation from Singapore Malay Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (DPPMS) has been considered a huge success by the participating traders from the
island.

The delegation expressed their gratitude to relevant agencies and business associations in Brunei such as
the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Brunei Economic Development Board, Brunei Malay
Chamber of Commerce and Industry and ITM Cooperative Limited.

Some of the 23 traders even stayed a few more days in Brunei as they could not complete their business
talks within the stipulated time.

Many more will be returning here to follow-up their ventures after finding out that some of the business
proposals made by their Brunei counterparts are viable and can be developed.

The head of mission, Encik Yatiman Yusof, hoped DPPMS and their Brunei counterparts will pursue their
preliminary business talks.

Encik Yatiman, who is also the Singapore High Commissioner to Kenya, said the four-day trip to Brunei was
fruitful.

He personally felt the business trip to Brunei was more beneficial to the Singapore Malay traders than those
that were organised to various other countries in the past.

The president of DPPMS, Dato’ Mohd Zain Abdullah, said he received positive response from the
participating traders.

During their four-day stay in Brunei, the Singapore traders visited the International Halal Products Expo
(IPHE) 2008 which was participated by traders from 10 nations.

They also met with the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources and his deputy as well as participated in
the International Halal Market Conference in conjunction with the IHPE 2008.

The delegation also heard trade and investment briefings from Brunei Economic Development Board,
Department of Agriculture and Brunei Tourism Development Department.