Brunei Agriculture Dept Signs Pact With UK Firm On Agro Park
By Jon Tampoi

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Department of Agriculture, under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, yesterday signed an agreement on the Agro Technology Park with SQW Consulting of the United Kingdom at the Agriculture Department headquarters.

Signing on behalf of the Department of Agriculture was Acting Senior Special Duties Officer Pengiran Hjh Rosidah bte Pengiran Haji Metussin, while SQW Consulting was represented by its director, Dr Kathrin Peters.

Also in attendance were Assistant Director of the Department of Agriculture Kuang Sitim and Robert Wootton of SQW Consulting.

Following the signing of the agreement, Dr Peters presented a briefing on the project.

The 263-hectare Agro Technology Park, located in Tungku, is one of the government's initiatives to diversify its economy.

SQW Consulting will assist the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources in carrying out studies and providing recommendations on the operational aspect of the park.

The scopes of the agreement extend to the design of the park itself, the masterplan, and the implementation of recommended commercial and institutional frameworks.

The assignment is expected to last between six and nine months.

Upon completion, the park will create an exceptionally high-quality--landscaped environment for international executives and their staff.

There will be opportunities for occupants to have preferential access to knowledge and technological services associated with Brunei Halal Brand.

The Brunei Halal Brand is committed to the obligation of "Fardhu Kifayah", with an effort to increase the number of halal food in the market amid the emergence of a variety of products containing non-halal ingredients.

The park will also attract research and innovative technological applications with a particular focus on sciencebased activities in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry.

One of the first anchor developments will be a Halal Science Centre, a research institute designed to become one of the main global hubs of excellence in halal-related activities.

The park will also be a venue for a Food Development Centre, to research on agricultural products. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin