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Borneo Bulletin Yearbook 2023
In December 2020, a memorandum
of understanding (MoU) was inked
on Syariah compliance products
development and trade between
BD-BEBC and Taiwan External Trade
Development Council (TAITRA). The
MoU further propels the development
of the halal economy in the BIMP-
EAGA region with the primary focus on
halal products and certifications.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic,
BIMP-EAGA
is
rebuilding
its
economy and plans to bounce back
stronger
through
strengthening
the cooperation and commitments
towards accomplishing the goals
outlined in the BEV 2025.
Ghanim International
Ghanim International Corporation
Sdn Bhd was established by the
government in 2009 to play a key
role in the development of the food
industry and diversification of the
economy by developing, marketing
and promoting products under the
bruneihalalfoods brand in Brunei
and across the world. The company
actively works in partnership with local
businesses to develop Made in Brunei
products aimed at import substitution
and growing exports.
In the last seven years, Ghanim has
been exporting over 15 Bruneian-
made products to many countries
including China, United Arab Emirates
(UAE), Singapore, Bangladesh and
Palestine. To cater to the growing
halal food market, estimated to be
valued at USD2.09 trillion in 2021 and
expected to further grow to USD3.27
trillion by 2028 with a CAGR of
6.56 per cent, Ghanim established the
Brunei Food Industry Development
(BFID) Multipurpose Manufacturing
and Processing Facility which began
construction in June 2020.
The BFID established with the
support of the Ministry of Finance
and Economy, Darussalam Enterprise
(DARe) and other government
agencies has the capacity to produce
a wide variety of products including
canned food, ready to eat meals
in pouches, frozen ready to heat
products, frozen ready to cook
products including chicken, beef,
seafood, vegetables as well as snacks
and noodles among others, and is
expected to begin exports by the
third quarter of 2023.
Ghanim Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) Dr Nur Rahman said, “With
some years of export experience and
understanding on the international
market requirements, we saw a huge
opportunity for Brunei to make a name
in the global halal food market and
produce globally competitive halal
food products, so we worked together
with key stakeholders to establish
a processing facility that will have
the highest possible international
standards. As we have been exporting
Bruneian made food products by the
micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs), we wanted to have a facility
that can also support their growth.
Therefore, the BFID is also expected to
open up opportunities to local MSMEs
to manufacture their products in a
standard approved facility where we
have established a line in the facility