20/12/2017 (Borneo Bulletin Online) - BRUNEI Darussalam’s strategic location at the heart of Southeast Asia, good trade relations with its neighbours and peaceful environment, are some of the factors that attracted Marsa Yag Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi (Marsa), a Turkish-based company to make an investment decision to set up a base in Brunei, Western Foods and Packaging Sdn Bhd (WFP) to manufacture margarine, oil and fats products.

The plant, located on a 1.9-hectare land at the Serasa Industrial Site was officially opened by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office on November 18, 2017.

With its modern factory and state-of-the-art technology, WFP is capable of producing 200 tonnes of margarine per day at full capacity. The products, which are Halal-certified by the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) are intended to serve the growing global market demand for quality Halal food products.

For the production of margarine, palm oil which is the main raw material and ingredient, has to be imported from Malaysia via land and sea while the finished product will be mainly exported to the Asian region and beyond through Brunei’s main port, the Muara Port.

For Brunei Darussalam, the establishment of the plant is a significant development as it will open up many possibilities and support many other businesses and trade. Seventy-five locals are currently employed at WFP which represents 96 per cent of the company’s total work force. This includes 11 management staff, six engineers, 28 i-Ready apprentices, 32 operators, and one support staff.

WFP is also looking into downstream opportunities for its products which can be used as ingredients to make biscuits, chocolates, pastries and ice cream.

The plant’s by-products can also be used as chicken feed and to make soap and detergent.

WFP’s products will also be the first margarine and edible oil products to be exported from Brunei Darussalam.

WFP is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsa and its shareholders include Yildiz Holding, one of Turkey’s leading food conglomerates, as the majority owner and the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam through the Strategic Development Capital (SDC) Fund under the Ministry of Finance.

Marsa has been one of Turkey’s pioneers in food production since 1926. While the products were initially produced for local consumption, the company began exporting in 1969.

Today the company produces shortening, edible oil, margarine and ghee. Its products have been exported to more than 65 countries spanning all five continents. The company aims to strengthen its stand in the world markets through its advanced production technology, world-standard quality and new products.