Brunei To Create Niche In Global Market For Halal Products

By Sobrina Rosli

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Brunei Government has tapped the services of a UK-based consultancy in drawing up the master plan for an agro-technology park that is deemed critical for the sultanate to create a niche in the global market for halal products.

The Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources' Department of Agriculture recently drew up an agreement with SQW Consulting to assist the department in developing the Brunei Agro Technology Park.

SQW Consulting will help the government conduct studies on the agro-technology park - and give recommendations for its establishment.

Its work is expected to be completed between six and nine months.

Under the Brunei's halal brand initiative, the development of the agro-technology park will facilitate local and foreign businesses who want to build their products with the Brunei Halal Brand.

The project will be located on a 263-hectare land in Tungku, Gadong. The park's development will be in two phases. The first will involve the completion of 50 hectares of land, available with full basic infrastructure and facilities for investor.

The area can house up to 50 companies. Phase One is expected to be completed in 18 months.

The park will offer potential tenants the flexibility to choose from a range of property specifications. There will be choices of small to large sized property units including laboratory and office buildings. There is also the option for custom-made buildings to be developed on allocated areas.

Local and foreign investors can look forward to using research and innovative technology applications that focuses on science-based activities such as agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

The approach will involve the development of Brunei's New Halal Science Centre, a research institute aiming to become a pivotal global ground for halal related activities.

Another venue is also allocated for the Food Development Centre value-added processing of agriculture products as well as incubator programmes. The Agribusiness Incubator will facilitate the setting up of agriculture-based companies allowing them to tap into the scientific and managerial resources and develop them into viable ventures.

The Brunei Agro Technology Park aims to become a globally renowned park for halal food products as well as providing access for local and foreign businesses to exploit the knowledge and technology offered within the park.