Bruneihalalfoods undeterred by exporting challenges The company is working out teething problems and is keen to start supplying Brunei-made meat products internationally

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The company behind the Bruneihalalfoods brand is still facing challenges to export their products, but said that it will continue to liaise with relevant ministries to fast track the process of supplying to international markets.

“Exporting is still a relatively new concept for Brunei,”  the CEO of Ghanim International Corporation Sdn Bhd Dr Nur Rahman said.

He added: “We face a [a lot of] challenges in exporting including regulatory challenges across the border, fulfilling volume expectations and pricing due to general lack of economies of scale.”

However, he said that Bruneihalalfoods stands strong on the quality and authenticity of its products.

Currently already supplying to China and Singapore, Ghanim International is focused on expanding its international reach with more markets in the pipeline including Japan and the Middle East.

“We believe Bruneian products could really go far,” he said, acknowledging the need to resolve some of the teething issues and continue to develop the national brand as a premium and high quality products.

To achieve this, Ghanim International is working closely with Ministry of Primary Resources and Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Economy as well as the Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry.

According to Dr Nur, Brunei is their test market and Bruneihalalfoods wants to be a household brand, with more products launches lined up until November.

Last week, Ghanim International launched three ready to heat products — corned beef, black pepper beef and beef stew — which will be readily available on most supermarket shelves. The products are manufactured in Brunei, with beef sourced from BMC Food Industries Sdn Bhd and Sabli Food Industries (B) Sdn Bhd.

The new products are part of Brunehalalfoods’ partnership with local SMEs in Brunei to develop products for the domestic and global market, as well as creating local products to substitute imports.

At the moment, the company is eyeing China, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan for its canned food products.

“These key markets are part of our expansion strategy due to the market potential and already strong network that we have built over the years,” Dr Nur said.