| James Kon |
A 19-MEMBER delegation from Yunnan Province in the People’s Republic of China is currently in Brunei Darussalam to explore opportunities for cooperation in Halal products.
The delegation is headed by Ma Kai Xian, the vice-chairman of the Yunnan Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, who met with members of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brunei Darussalam at a courtesy call yesterday.
During a question and answer session, Ma Kai Xian gave insights on the huge market in the Yunnan Province for Halal products.
“Yunnan Province has a 46.87 million population, and the Muslim population is more than 700,000,” he said. “Yunnan is famous for its quality food and products, including Halal products. People, including non-Muslims and other ethnic groups, enjoy Halal food; therefore there is a huge market for Halal food within the Yunnan province. The Halal products are also distributed to the 16 municipalities and prefectures within Yunnan.”
Despite with the huge market, he revealed that “Yunnan province has yet to tap into the potential of the market, because its Halal industry is still in a developing phase. To meet the growing demand for Halal products in China and around the world, there is a need to further develop the Halal industry in Yunnan.”
The purpose of the delegation’s visit, he said, “is to invite Brunei assistance to help with Halal certification for products in Yunnan Province, and to utilise Brunei Darussalam’s strategic location in the Asean region to distribute Yunnan products marked with Brunei’s Halal Certification, across the region and to Middle East countries.”
Another objective for the visit, he said, was to establish links between the Yunnan delegation – comprising mostly of businessmen – and Brunei’s local entrepreneurs, to build a promising business future together.
Haji Razali bin Johari, the President of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) of Brunei Darussalam, welcomed the Yunnan delegation in his opening address, stating, “We hope to work together with the Yunnan officials, in helping to develop the Halal industry of Yunnan Province.”
“Brunei Darussalam has been promoting Halal products for the past 10 years, and the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, has been carrying out a number of initiatives through Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism to diversify the economy especially on Halal products,” he added.
Beside the Halal products, he also cited other potential areas of cooperation, including the development of Pulau Muara Besar, Sungai Liang Industrial Park, the Bio-Innovation Corridor and other infrastructure projects.
Also present during the meeting was Yang Jian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam; together with Haji Abdul Saman bin Haji Ahmad, the Secretary-General of NCCI, as well as other members.
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