Bandar Seri Begawan - With the Chinese New Year just around the corner, the First Emporium Group, one of the largest supermarket chains in the Sultanate, has for the first time, directly imported the juicy and. sweet high quality Taiwanese mandarin oranges (Pong Kam) which are now available in all its branches.

A special ceremony to commemorate the occasion was held at the Warisan Utamajaya Emporium and Supermarket yesterday, whereby Albert Huang, the representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei Darussalam, was on hand to officiate the event.

Albert said, "Taiwanese mandarin oranges are very popular among the people in Brunei and around the world. It is now the best season for the mandarin oranges.

"I hope that with the first direct import of Taiwanese mandarin oranges to Brunei, it will open the door to more Taiwanese fruits being imported into Brunei as Taiwanese fruits are known for its juiciness, nutrition, sweetness and quality," he added.

Meanwhile, Lai from Jhuolan Farmers' Association, where the best Taiwanese mandarin oranges are produced, said, "The first direct import is a good beginning."

He also highlighted that, "We view the Brunei market as a very important market and we would like to look at long-term cooperation by exporting Taiwanese fruits and vegetables to the country"

Lim Klan Seng, the General Manager of First Emporium Group in his speech conveyed his appreciation to the guests who attended the event and also Jhuolan Farmers' Association representative, Lai, as well as representative from County of Agriculture Executive Yuan for flying in to Brunei for the ceremony.

Also present were Dato Paduka Lim Beng Thai, as well as representatives from various Chinese associations in Brunei.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin