Brunei tightens import rules

b>New policies set with Malaysia to ensure the trade of high quality goods between the two

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM has imposed tougher regulations on the import of Malaysian vegetables and fruits.

The Star Online yesterday reported that the regulations were meted out in a meeting among officials from the sultanate and Malaysia's federal and state authorities which was held in Miri yesterday. The meeting was also attended by major producers, exporters and importers from Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak.

The two nations had among others agreed that:

there shall be a standard quality for all types of vegetables and fruits imported from Malaysia;

there shall also be standard packaging and labelling of Malaysian vegetables and fruits to Brunei;

all vegetables and fruits from Malaysia to Brunei must have an export declaration document;

there shall be a limit on the amount of vegetables and fruits that an individual can carry into Brunei (limit of only five items and maximum 30kg per person per entry).

The online version of Malaysia's English daily The Star, also quoted Brunei agriculture department assistant director Dr Dabeding Dullah as saying that the new rules would ensure that only very high quality products are traded between the two neighbouring countries.

"Brunei imports some 6,500 metric tonnes of vegetables and fruits from Malaysia and 40 per cent are from Sabah and Sarawak," Dr Dadebing was reported as saying.

Among the main produces that Brunei imports from Malaysia are eggs which are currently facing shortage of supply in the sultanate.

Dadebing said to date Brunei has imported 500,000 eggs from Sarawak and would buy more to meet the needs of Bruneians.

Officials from Malaysia's Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) and the agriculture departments of Sabah and Sarawak agreed that guidelines be drawn up to govern the export of vegetables and fruits from the two states to Brunei.

Fama national director of control Mazlan Shamsuddin said Brunei wanted the new conditions to have more stringent controls at all entry points into the sultanate.

"We (Malaysia and Brunei) have agreed to compile guidelines on these conditions and requirements that both exporters and importers can strictly adhere to.

"We hope that sellers and buyers in both countries will understand and follow the correct procedures, so that the trade of these essential items would be better coordinated," he added.

Brunei imports RM5 million ($2.23 million) worth of fruits and vegetables from Malaysia annually.

The Brunei Times