ARARAT - A delegation from Ararat Rural City Council has travelled to Brunei today to promote local produce.

Council representatives will meet with senior Brunei Government officials in anticipation of eventually exporting local food produce to the kingdom.

Ararat Rural City mayor, Cr Ian Wilson, chief executive officer Stephen Chapple and manager rural city development Mark Hogan, together with local grains producer Rob Armstrong have travelled to Brunei and will promote Grampians regional produce alongside several other Victorian municipalities and food companies.

The entire Victorian delegation of 50 people will attend meetings set up by Regional Development Victoria to promote their respective local produce and food packaging capabilities, as well as take part in the International Halal Product Expo 2007 which will be officially opened by the Sultan of Brunei.

Cr Wilson said council had identified an opportunity to tap into the multi billion dollar halal food industry, which is consumed by 1.8 billion of the Muslim faith in the world.

Their faith requires them to only consume food and beverages that have been certified as being halal.

‘‘Concern is increasing amongst Muslim religious leaders that a rising proportion of food may not be genuine halal,’’ Cr Wilson said.

‘‘Government leaders in Brunei believe there is an opportunity for Brunei to introduce a halal brand into the international food market.

‘‘This would be accepted by Muslims as being unquestionably genuine halal.’’

With the country of Brunei just one tenth the size of Tasmania and a population of 360,000 -predominantly Muslim - it imports most of its food products.

Existing relationships with Australia has prompted Brunei’s approach for the country to be part of a new Brunei Premium Halal Brand.

‘‘Through Regional Development Victoria, Ararat Rural City Council has embraced this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to present our clean, green quality product to Brunei and our knowledge and resources to ensure the products meet the required halal standards.

‘‘This sales mission has the potential to reap unbelievable economic benefits for the local regional economy,’’ Cr Wilson said.

The Ararat delegation will promote the region’s quality fat lambs, cattle and emu and the significant opportunities for live sheep export and/or halal accredited packaged meat export.

It will also promote oats – including high quality milling oats - barley, canola, lucerne hay, packaged olive and lavender products.

The Ararat Advertiser. August 14, 2007.