SERIAN: Negotiation to export tilapia fish to Brunei is currently in the final stages, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said this during his visit to the Borneo Empurau Farm and Resort Sdn Bhd site at Batu 33, Jalan Kuching-Serian yesterday.
“Our tilapia fish (from Batang Ai) is well-received by the Singapore market because it is fresh and does not have any unpleasant odour.
“Our success in penetrating the Singapore market also proves that our tilapia fish is able to compete with those from Vietnam, Cambodia and Peninsular Malaysia,” he explained.
In this regard, he urged local entrepreneurs to produce products that require low costs, able to compete (with similar products from other countries) without sacrificing quality as well as capable of penetrating the international market.
To achieve this goal, Uggah, who is also Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister, said entrepreneurs should invest more in research and development (R&D).
“Although it (R&D) has high risk, it can increase the income of entrepreneurs.
“Therefore, I hope that the private sector can actively participate in R&D (especially for the agricultural sector) as Borneo Empurau Farm and Resort Sdn Bhd does,” he said.
Also present were Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Assistant Minister Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn and Borneo Empurau Farm and Resort Sdn Bhd owner Datuk Yong Fook Heng.
