(Pic from Left to Right: Farm Konekt CEO John Gastanes, Ray Base Business Development Nelson Cheong, Ray Base Chairman Zakaria Aziz, Narra’s Honorable Mayor Gerandy Danao, Narra Administrator Jojo Gastanes and Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Philippines, Her Excellency Megawati Manan)
PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES- The long standing friendship between Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines predates the European colonial powers here in the country and when ASEAN was established it has strengthen the ties that bind between the two nations.
Ray Base Sdn Bhd, a Bruneian company intent on capitalizing on the economic opportunities of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the Municipality of Narra, Palawan on September 2, 2024.
The MOU aims to develop Narra as an agricultural hub of BIMP-EAGA with the development of a Farm-to-Market Road technology to facilitate the transportation of agricultural products to the market as well as to operate a Depot that will supply diesel and fertiliser at Narra’s Pier of Panacan to support local farmers, business, and operations of the municipality. Ray Base’s local partner, Farm Konekt, will be executing the farmer clustering and logistical support.
This partnership, the first of its kind between Narra and Brunei Darussalam’s private sector, comes at a significant milestone in Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of the Philippines’ bilateral relationship as they celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations this year.
Signing on behalf of the Municipality of Narra was The Honorable Mayor Gerandy Danao. Her Excellency Megawati Manan, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic of the Philippines and Executive Assistant I/Acting Municipal Administrator Mr. Edmond B. Gastanes witnessed the signing.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Atty. Joshua U. Bolusa, Provincial legal Officer representing the Governor of Palawan, the Honorable Victorino Dennis M. Socrates, executives of Ray Base subsidiaries from Eager Energy for Fuel and Terra Tech; and CEO of Farm Konekt. Also present were executives of Go Mamam, a Bruneian shopping app, looking to tap on this business partnership.
Cognizant to the ASEAN’s vision and aspiration in the realization of a political, economic and cultural region with unity amidst diversity
And with current collaboration between Brunei and the Philippines, the beneficial effect will be felt gradually by the people linking both Filipinos and Bruneians in trade, business and people-to-people exchanges resulting to a more inclusive and vibrant East Asia. /// with details from the Embassy of Brunei in the Philippines.
