Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan – Brunei Darussalam took part in amass Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony participated by all the Asean countries as well as China.

A total of 82 MoUs totaling US$3.252 billion were signed, all at the same time.

The two companies are Wen Zhong Agro-Science and Technology from Brunei and Guangxi BaGui Agricultural Science and Technology Co Ltd from the Huangxi province in China. The MoU signed is for a padi plantation cooperation project.

Singing on behalf of Brunei was the Director of the company Ang Swee Chuan and China the Vice General Manager Liu Qihui from China.

The signing was witnessed by Hajah Asmah bte Hj Saman, the Director of Promotion and Facilitation Services Division and the Ministry of Industry and

Primary Resources (MIPR).

The company has been to Brunei and done some research in Labi and Temburong. The two companies are planning to present the proposal to the MIPR soon. And if it is approved, the two companies would then set up a joint venture firm with investments from both sides totaling more than $20 million.

According to Liu Qihui, one of the biggest challenges of growing padi in Brunei is the acidity of the land. "The land in Brunei is too acidic, so we will have to modify it in order for it to be suitable for rice planting," he said.

Lui Qihui also said with their expertise, machines and experience they are confident that they will be able to produce rice for Brunei's local consumption.

When asked why Wen Zhong Agro-Science and Technology has been chosen to work with Guangxi BaGui, one of its representatives said the company has been doing this for 10 years now and the weather in Guangxi is very much like Brunei's.

Tomorrow morning Wen Zhong Agro-Science and Technology will visit one of the biggest padi fields in Guangxi operated by Guangxi BaGui Agricultural Science and Technology Co Ltd with the MIPR. It will soon be harvest season and it is the best time to go and have a look at the fields. The field is a one-hour drive from the city centre of Nanning. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin