Food and Beverage (F&B) industry plays an important role in Brunei’s economy, which is rapidly developing at national and international scale. As F&B industry is facing numerous challenges with off-site analytical laboratories, solutions are urgently required to overcome these challenges to ensure high productivity and sustainable production.
Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) signed an Exclusive Service Agreement with Artesian Fresh Sdn Bhd and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kitani Farmers Market (KFM) Sendirian Berhad respectively as a step towards delivering solutions and innovative F&B research through a collaborative effort.
Signing the agreement and MoU on behalf of UTB was Yang Mulia Professor Dr. Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Hj Sulaiman, Vice-Chancellor of UTB. Representing Artesian Fresh Sdn. Bhd. was Yang Mulia Mr David Ling Ming Shon, Director; and Yang Mulia Mr Jean Noel Fouquet, Chief Executive Officer signed on behalf of KFM Sdn. Bhd.
Prior to the signing ceremony, welcoming remarks were delivered from Vice-Chancellor of UTB; Yang Mulia Mr Kelvin Lim, Director of Artesian Fresh Sdn Bhd; and Chief Executive Officer of KFM Sdn. Bhd. respectively.
Under this project, Centre for Research on Agri-Food Science and Technology (CrAFT) of UTB and Artesian Fresh Sdn Bhd will work together to establish an on-site analytical laboratory at a natural water plant premise in Tutong district. The analytical lab will be equipped with testing facilities to ensure water produced from the plant is clean and safe as well as aesthetically pleasing in terms of colour, odour and appearance in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.
The establishment of the analytical laboratory will facilitate routine qualitative and quantitative analysis on water test samples to ensure a high quality and productivity of produced water. This features a significant aspect in the packaging and development of product leading to commercialisation for both local and international markets by KFM Sdn Bhd. The collaboration anticipates future activities and opportunities that will support the local economy and provide more employment prospects in the F&B industry.
