Australia intents to boost Brunei Halal Brand

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