balita.ph; June 2, 2011 2:54 am

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, June 1 — The Philippines and Brunei Darussalam governments signed on Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on agriculture to ensure food security and more enhanced cooperation between the two countries.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario signed the agreement on behalf of the Philippines and Princess Masna for Brunei, who is the acting minister of foreign affairs and trade of Brunei.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by President Benigno Aquino III and His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. The event was part of the President’s 2-day state visit here.

The agreement seeks to strengthen cooperation on food security in support of food basket initiatives of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-The Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), agriculture, fisheries, food processing and Halal industry.

This will be done through the promotion of investments, joint-ventures, research and development, technology transfer, raw material sourcing for value-adding, as well as conduct of training and capacity building.

Both countries will also develop partnership in the production of Halal food for the international market, exchange of materials and information, and strengthen cooperation in other related areas.

Both governments will provide the necessary assistance to professionals, technicians and trainees through the agreement to enable accomplish their mission.

The agreement does not solely rely on the efforts of both governments, it will also encourage private sector initiatives and partnerships in areas covered under the agreement.

Both parties agreed for the inclusion of the protection of intellectual property rights and this will be enforced in conformity with the respective national laws as well as rules and regulations.

In case of technological development, products and services development carried out under the agreement that results on intellectual property issue, both governments shall conclude a separate arrangement in accordance with their respective regulations.

The Philippines’s Department of Agriculture and Brunei’s Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources were the lead government agencies in crafting the agreement. [(PNA) vcs/PCOO/ssc]

Source: Phl and Brunei seal Memorandum of Understanding on agriculture