Answer for Oral Question PL209

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG HAJI SALLEH BOSTAMAN BIN HAJI ZAINAL ABIDIN asked MENTERI EKONOMI, PERDAGANGAN DAN INDUSTRI to state when the Ministry will formulate a comprehensive National Cold-Chain Strategy, including the lead agency, financing model and timeline for phased implementation up to 2030, in line with Wawasan Brunei 2035, given that post-harvest losses in agricultural produce continue to occur and cold-chain facilities remain ad hoc.

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Ekonomi, Perdagangan dan Industri

To ensure the continued growth of the food sector and strengthen the country’s food security, the Ministry is implementing a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the quality of food production in the country. This encompasses the entire value chain of the food sector ecosystem, from the supply of input materials through to the consumer level. The Ministry recognises that post-harvest management is a critical factor in minimising produce losses, preserving the quality of food products and ensuring the resilience of the local supply chain.

In addition, the development of the food industry depends greatly on the ability of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to access not only the local market but also international markets. To facilitate exports, a strong and competitive national cold-chain is required. Under the Maritime Trade, Logistics and Services Roadmap and the Food Industry Roadmap, the cold-chain and post-harvest components have been identified as being highly critical.

Following the study conducted, the Ministry has identified the existing gaps that have caused shortcomings in the national cold-chain, in order to assist the private sector in developing the food industry in the country.

Among the initiatives to strengthen and reduce the gaps in the national cold-chain are as follows:

First, encouraging foreign direct investment (FDI) in the food sector that can provide the entire value chain (whole value chain), including the cold chain. To date, several foreign direct investment (FDI) companies providing cold-chain services have commenced operations, including:

• APACCOLD International Supply Chain Sdn Bhd currently operates from a privately leased facility in Salambigar and provides cold storage and handling services to local PMKS.
• The cold storage facility at Muara International Fish Landing (MIFL) in Serasa is currently operated by MIFL itself, while the related services are in the process of being tendered.

The relevant cold-chain requirements are also being addressed through the proposed Brunei–Singapore Agri-Tech Food Zone project, in an effort to develop a high-value agri-food cluster and a commercial food export hub. At present, a feasibility study for the above initiative is being carried out, examining the requirements for processing, packaging, cold-chain logistics, customs clearance, shared services and efficient distribution channels. This cold-chain strategy will be a critical element in the future development of the Agri-Tech Food Zone.

The second initiative is to improve cold-chain infrastructure at critical locations such as airports and ports, while also involving GLC and private-sector investment, for example at Brunei International Airport Cargo Centre (BIACC), Muara Port Company (MPC), Muara International Fish Landing (MIFL) and, Insya Allah, the Pusat Pengumpulan dan Pengedaran Hasil Pertanian at KKP Mulaut, including the provision of cold-chain facilities through to delivery to supermarkets, grocery shops and markets.

The availability of facilities in strategic areas will enable the cold chain (cold chain) to remain uninterrupted from the stages of production, processing, delivery, storage and food exportation, in a safer manner.

Third, under the Brunei Darussalam Standards and Accreditation Council (PSABD) and led by the Brunei Darussalam Food Authority (BDFA), the draft Cold Chain Standard is currently in its final phase and is expected to be opened for public comment in September 2026. Guided by the Code of Hygienic Practice for the Transport of Food in Bulk and Semi-Packed Foods (CXC 47-2001), this standard outlines temperature controls and best practices covering the processing, storage, transportation and distribution of food commodities, whether on a bulk or semi-bulk scale.

In conclusion, the Ministry, in cooperation with foreign and local investors, has been working to further strengthen the national cold-chain in support of the development of the food sector. A cooling technology from the People’s Republic of China has been introduced for adoption in the country to extend the shelf life of fresh products, including fresh chicken. The availability of this technology will enable fresh products to be exported by sea, thereby reducing logistics costs in the country and enhancing the competitiveness of products produced in the country compared with products from other countries.