Ghanim International Corporation is looking to partner with local businesses to market high potential, export ready food and beverage (F&B) products to be sold locally and overseas under the bruneihalalfoods brand.
A senior business development officer at bruneihalalfoods – Ghanim’s flagship brand – yesterday said that the state owned company has partnered with several Brunei business to produce 15 locally made products including cordial, crackers and condiments, and are now seeking out more collaborations.
“At Ghanim the strategic focus is to identify high potential products, supplied by local companies, that can be marketed globally through our bruneihalalfoods brand,” said Rena Hashim at bruneihalalfoods Open Day at their headquarters in Kg Mata-Mata yesterday. “Right now our line includes over 30 products, about half which are sourced locally.”
Rena acknowledged that certifications for F&B products and those that ensure standard manufacturing processes are a challenge when it comes to making sure local products meet foreign importers’ requirements, but said that they were working with government stakeholders and the companies to overcome the issue.
She explained local products under the bruneihalalfoods brand are first marketed in Brunei to test their suitability, before being validated and marketed abroad through trade shows and expos.
“Once they’ve received a good response in local stores and at overseas expos; and have undergone product tests in certified labs for product labeling and information that ensures they meet the importers’ standards, then we are able to find distributors so that these products can be sold overseas,” said Rena, who cited the blue shrimp crackers which have made their way into the China market as an example of a locally made product under the bruneihalalfoods brand being exported.
The blue shrimp crackers – which recently won an award at the Gulfood expo – are the result of a collaboration with local company Marimin, Ghanim’s CEO Dr Nur Rahman previously said in a statement.
Rena added that Ghanim would provide consultations to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on what the full steps are needed to be met before their products can be marketed under the bruneihalalfoods brand – which include certifications and product (packaging) design – as well as opening discussions on the terms and conditions of such an arrangement.
The primary model between local SMEs supplying to bruneihalalfoods is that Ghanim acts as a buyer, purchasing the product for an agreed price. The costs to distribute and market the products are borne by Ghanim, Rena added, which means SMEs can minimize the risk and costs associated with market access.
Businesses interested in collaborating with Ghanim can contact +6732450279, email suserena.hashim@brunei-halal.com or visit Ghamin’s office at Unit 10, Block B, Ground Floor, Warisan Mata-Mata Complex, Kg, Mata-Mata, Beribi, Gadong. To learn more follow @bruneihalal on Instagram or Facebook or visit www.brunei-halal.com
