In a significant stride towards bolstering food security and fostering economic cooperation, Brunei and Singapore have embarked on a joint initiative to establish the Brunei-Singapore Agri-Tech Food Zone (ATFZ). This collaborative venture, announced by Brunei’s Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE) in collaboration with Singapore’s Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the Singapore Food Agency, aims to fortify food supply resilience, attract high-value investments, and create employment opportunities within the agri-food sector.
The ATFZ is poised to leverage Brunei’s strategic advantages in land availability and its economic diversification goals, alongside Singapore’s expertise in agri-technology, regulatory frameworks, and market connectivity. This synergy is expected to support the development of a competitive agri-food ecosystem, enabling the production, processing, and export of high-quality food products to regional and global markets. The initiative also seeks to foster agri-technology innovation, positioning both countries as regional leaders in sustainable and technology-driven agri-food production.
The joint feasibility study underscores the commitment of both nations to enhance their food security and economic resilience. It follows a series of high-level discussions, including the third joint committee meeting held in July, where senior government officers from Brunei and Singapore deliberated on deepening collaboration in priority sectors such as food security, healthcare, low carbon energy, and the green economy. These sectors are aligned with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strengthening trade and investment cooperation in food and medical products, and the MoU on cooperation in energy and green economy.
Hajah May Fa’ezah Ahmad Ariffin, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, emphasized the importance of resilience and innovation in enhancing competitiveness and adaptability. She urged focused implementation, timely delivery, and measurable results to ensure the success of these initiatives.
The ATFZ initiative is a testament to the excellent relations between Brunei and Singapore, which have long-standing arrangements in various sectors, including defence, finance, trade and investment, tourism, health, aquaculture, and education. Both nations are also close partners in ASEAN and other international fora, reflecting their shared commitment to regional cooperation and sustainable development.
As the ATFZ takes shape, it is expected to not only strengthen food supply chains but also serve as a model for sustainable and technology-driven agri-food production in the region. The collaboration between Brunei and Singapore in this venture highlights their proactive approach to addressing food security challenges and fostering economic growth through innovation and strategic partnerships.