THE Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) will be leading a delegation of some 80 business entrepreneurs, trade visitors, SMEs and 20 government officials of the ministry in participation of the Fourth China-Asean Expo later this month.

The expo will be held from October 28 to 31 in Nanning, Guangxi Autonomous Region, Republic of China.

MIPR's participation with the private sector in this event aims to promote tourism and provide facilities and a platform where Brunei enterprises to network and establish business with Chinese and overseas counterparts.

This in turn will improve bilateral trade volume, promote investment into the country in seeking technology and raw materials and supplies.

The ministry will also be participating in two main exhibitions, namely the City of Charm pavilion and the Trade and Commodity pavilion.

The City of Charm pavilion will feature Bandar Seri Begawan, the Empire Hotel and Country Club, Pulau Muara Besar project, BLNG Port and Muara Port whereas a total of 18 companies will be exhibiting their products and services in the Trade and Commodity pavilion.

These 18 companies include representatives of the food and beverage sector, arts and handicraft and ICT-related products and services.

Among the exhibitors will be Sabli Food Industries Sdn Bhd, Westegrets Sdn Bhd, Mahkota Crystals, Mulaut Abattoir Sdn Bhd and Semaun Marine Resources Sdn Bhd.

In keeping with the overall theme, 'Port Development and Cooperation', the Guangxi government through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Commerce and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, will be holding a high level Port Development and Cooperation Forum.

From Brunei, Guangxi has extended its invitation to the Ministry of Communications. The forum will be inaugurated on October 28.

A Business and Investment Seminar will also be organised by the ministry during the event, which will involve speakers from the Tourism Development Department; Department of Agriculture (promoting the halal industry); Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB); two ICT-related companies, BiTEX Sdn Bhd and Westegrets Sdn Bhd; and two speakers from educational service enterprise and Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Two business Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) will be signed between a local ICT company and two Chinese companies in conjunction with this event.

As with the previous years, MIPR aims to bring together about 150 investment and business prospects to this seminar.

Brunei's participation in the previous year resulted in business MOUs in agriculture and farming, joint venture agreement in deep-sea fishing, car accessories manufacturing, construction and supplies and other business and trading partnerships established in ICT and electronics.

A chartered flight, arranged by the Brunei-China Friendship Association, flying directly to Nanning on October 26 will be provided to entrepreneurs participating in the event.

Several government agencies, chambers of commerce as well as other local NGOs are involved in the event.

The Brunei Times, Finaz Daniel. Thursday, October 4, 2007.