BRUNEI is collaborating with Singapore to exchange expertise on agriculture, biodiversity research and nature conservation, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) and the island-state's Ministry of National Development.

Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar said that the MoU will improve the ministry's capacity to tap into the expertise and experience of Singapore in food production, diagnosis and management of infectious animal and health diseases, research and development in biodiversity and nature conservation, particularly the Heart of Borneo (HoB) initiative, and international trade.

"The MoU will be an invaluable tool that will assist the ministry in carrying out its mandate to accelerate sustainable economic diversification by facilitating, developing and strengthening trade, competitive industries and dynamic entrepreneurs," the minister was quoted as saying in a press statement from the ministry.

Pehin Dato Hj Yahya added that despite some "unanticipated obstacles and unwelcomed developments which are at times beyond our control", the ministry continues to build its capacities towards producing a more competitive business environment to achieve Brunei's long-term objective of diversifying the country's economy.

The MoU will aid both countries in exchanging professional information and reference materials covering areas such as infectious animal and plant disease, in addition to food production, biodiversity studies and other related disciplines, according to a statement from Singapore's Ministry of National Development.

Four key areas of cooperation were identified in the MoU, including information networking and exchange, capacity building and human resource development, promotion and facilitation of trade and investment, as well as research development.

Singaporean National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said that the MoU takes both countries' partnership to the next level and encourages the private sectors to work with each other and enjoy greater returns.

"I hope that through deeper collaborations between the two ministries, we can learn from Brunei's unique experience and work together with Brunei to contribute to the HoB initiative."

"We will be exploring in areas such as biodiversity surveys, management of nature reserves and outreach programmes to educate our younger generation about nature conservation," he said in a statement.

He added that Singapore applauds the HoB initiative to promote the sustainability of natural heritage.

Signing on behalf of Brunei was the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, while Mah represented Singapore.

Implementing the MoU will be the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore and the National Parks Board, working in close collaboration with the departments in charge of agriculture, fisheries and forestry in MIPR.

The Singaporean minister paid a courtesy call to Pehin Dato Hj Yahya at the ministry yesterday.

Mah and the Singaporean delegation is currently in Brunei from March 13-15, as part of the 14th Brunei-Singapore Exchange Visit to enhance mutual understanding between the leaders and civil servants of both countries. (MJH1 & RTM1)

In Courtesy of The Brunei Times