'We will promote more of Guangdong's aquaculture and processing enterprises to invest in Brunei, while we also hope that more Brunei companies will make fishery investments in Guangdong'

Bandar Seri Begawan - An official with the Guangdong Ocean and Fishery Administration, Li Zhenzhu highlighted the potential of furthering a relationship with Brunei Darussalam during yesterday's launching ceremony for the harvesting of 'Dragon Groupers' at the Fish Landing Complex in Serasa, Muara.

The launch was officiated by the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Yahya.

"Guangdong and Brunei have great potential in fishery cooperation," said Mr Li. "We are willing to further strengthen our all-round fishery cooperation with Brunei. We hope to deepen cooperation in areas that include sea water aquaculture, aquatic products processing, fishery technological exchanges and training."

He added that in recent years, fishery exchanges between Guangdong and Brunei have been strengthened continuously and have made great progress. Guangdong, he said, is a big fishery province in China and utilises good aquaculture technology in tandem with decent management experience, which has resulted in complete fishery industrial chains. Brunei on the other hand, has rich natural fishery resources, which can lead to good opportunities for cooperation in aquaculture.

"We welcome friends from Brunei to visit Guangdong province for fishery investigations and business negotiations. Both sides shall enlarge fishery investment and trade cooperation," said Mr Li.

"We will promote more of Guangdong's aquaculture and processing enterprises to invest in Brunei, while we also hope that more Brunei companies will make fishery investments in Guangdong province."

He also expressed his hope that local company Biomarine Sdn Bhd can expand the scale of business and aquaculture in future, while placing more emphasis on the development of whole fishery industrial chains - including the building of a new fish seeds breeding base, sea food warehouse, and fishery logistics base -and strive to become a pilot site for Sino-Brunei fishery cooperation, which could lead to more seafood exports to mainland China, Hong Kong and neighbouring countries in the region.

This is a great event for China and Brunei's fishery circles and will further promote cooperation and mutual benefit between both countries.

On behalf of the Guangdong Ocean and Fishery Administration, he expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Department of Fisheries for consistent support in joint ventures.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin