News From : DagangHalal.com (07 Mar 2010)
Bandar Seri Begawan – With the Malaysian Showcase running at the International Convention Centre, locals can now indulge their sweet tooth while making a profit.
The showcase, which comes to a close today, offers visitors a chance to invest in a number of growing businesses in the region, and one such industry is chocolate production.
According to Abdul Karim Haji Che Hamid from the Malaysian Cocoa Board, the chocolate industry in Malaysia raked in 370 million ringgit last year, and “is increasing by two per cent annually”.
He also noted that Brunei Darussalam has the potential in the industry because “we noticed that Bruneians like to eat chocolate” and have “the purchasing power”.
Given that Malaysia is a Muslim country, the Malaysian Cocoa Board ensures that all ingredients in producing chocolates are halal.
“From the survey we’ve done at local supermarkets, the chocolates are mostly imported, and some of them come from questionable sources,” he said. Therefore, “we would like to produce and promote halal chocolates for Brunei”.
While competing with well-known brands from countries outside the region can be challenging, Abdul Karim believes that market penetration is not “difficult” in Malaysia as consumers are shifting towards more local products.
Should Bruneians wish to invest in the growing market, the Malaysian Cocoa Board said, “We will provide everything, from packaging, moulding, management and even technology.” — Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin