High Commissioner's Visit Strengthens Ties - 3 April, 2008

Ties between Mildura and Brunei have been strengthened following today’s visit of Australia’s High Commissioner to Brunei-Darussalam and senior diplomatic staff to inspect local horticultural and food processing operations.

Dr Ruth Adler’s visit, at the invitation of Elders, Mildura Rural City Council and the Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development Board; follows up on a delegation of regional and business leaders that visited Brunei in 2007.

Brunei is a new market for Mildura’s high-quality produce including honey, dried fruits, table grapes and citrus.  Work is continuing on the development of the Brunei Government’s Halal food brand.

SMEDB Chief Executive Officer Andrew Millen said the visit was an important part of the board and Council’s efforts to open up markets in Asia for local produce.

“Progress has been made in accessing Brunei’s food market which demands the quality that Mildura can provide,” Mr Millen said.

“The interest of high level diplomatic staff in our operations is important in developing further links throughout the region.”

Mildura Rural City Council Mayor John Arnold said the visit was further evidence of the importance of local government in opening doors in Asia.

“We now have a foothold in the Bruneian domestic market which will only help in further opening doors throughout Asia and nations with strong Halal food markets,” Councillor Arnold said.

“Dr Adler’s visit is certainly a welcome sign of the interest that our region has generated in Brunei.”

Australia and Brunei enjoy a warm relationship with links across a range of areas. The commercial relationship is significant with the total value of merchandise trade between our two countries worth $A1.1 billion in Financial Year 2006 - 2007.