The Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the People’s Republic of China signed “The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Agricultural Cooperation” on December 25, 2024 in Beijing, The People’s Republic of China.
Signing the memorandum on behalf of His Majesty’s government was the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, while China’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) Han Jun, signed on behalf of the People’s Republic of China.
The People’s Republic of China has continuously supported and collaborated closely in advancing and developing Brunei Darussalam’s agriculture industry, by providing various training and capacity building programs including in research and development across various fields, amongst others in the rice, crop and livestock sector.
The signing of this MoU further deepens the strong agricultural cooperation between the two nations.
The cooperation aims to contribute to increase the production of primary sectors and is aligned with the Brunei Darussalam’s objective in enhancing food security, particularly in addressing gaps within the rice industry value chain, including through utilisation of high yielding rice varieties.
The implementation of collaborative projects and strong support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, will enable Brunei Darussalam to achieve significant milestones including the potential partnership with relevant agencies and private sectors from the People’s Republic of China for the possible establishment of a National Rice Research Center.
The potential project under the Memorandum of Understanding will also focus on enhancing technical expertise to bolster the production of hybrid rice seeds, serving as an additional strategy to strengthen the rice value chain in Brunei Darussalam.
The cooperation underscores the critical role of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, particularly in providing essential resources and support, including the supply of hybrid rice seeds, engagement of technical and experts, provision of facilities and equipment.
Such contributions demonstrate the People’s Republic of China commitment to strengthening its partnership with Brunei Darussalam and advancing the shared goal of enhancing the country’s agricultural industry.
Ahead of the signing, the ministers held a bilateral meeting to exchange views on progress and potential developments in cooperation in the food sector.
They reaffirmed the commitment to enhance cooperation in food security, including agriculture and fisheries sectors, as agreed during the leaders’ meeting between His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and President Xi Jinping in San Francisco in 2023.
Also present at the signing ceremony were Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Brunei Darussalam to the People’s Republic of China Pehin Dato Haji Abdu’r Rahmani bin Dato Haji Basir; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism Dayang Hajah Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab; and officers from the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. – James Kon
