The signing agreement is between The Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, represented by Pengiran Hajah Rosidah binti Pengiran Haji Metussin, the Acting Senior Special Duties Officer, and SQW Limited, represented by Dr Kathrin Peters, Associate Director, SQW Limited, United Kingdom, for “Appointment as an Advisor to the Agro Technology Park”, on 10th March 2008, at the Main Office of the Department of Agriculture, Brunei Darussalam.

The objective of the appointment is assist the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources through the Department of Agriculture by conducting studies and providing recommendations on establishment and operation of the Agro Technology Park.

Scope of appointment includes design of the Agro Technology Park, to assist in writing up the terms of reference of a masterplan and also to implement the recommended commercial framework and institutional framework. The duration of assignment is expected to be six to nine months.

SQW Limited is a leading independent consultancy in the area of economic and social development offering consultancy services in a diverse range of fields, from science & technology, ICT and innovation to rural development, neighbourhood renewal and regional development. Their clients include government departments in the United Kingdom and overseas, devolved administrations, regional development agencies, funding bodies, local authorities, partnerships and international organizations.

The Brunei Agro Technology Park is a major new development promoted by the Government of Brunei Darussalam through the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, as part of its diversification strategy to promote sectors other than oil and oil-based activities. The Park is being developed on a 263 hectare site at Tungku area, Bandar Seri Begawan. It will offer small and medium-sized and large property units in a range of specifications including laboratory and office buildings; tenants will also be 2 given the opportunity to develop custom-made buildings on dedicated sites. The Park will create an exceptionally high quality landscaped environment which will offer attractive working conditions to international executives and their staff.

There will be opportunities for occupants to have preferential access to knowledge and technology services associated with Brunei Halal Brand. The Brunei Halal Brand is to commit to the obligation of 'Fardhu Kifayah' with an effort to increasing the number of Halal food that can be consumed by Muslims due to emergence of varieties of products containing non-Halal raw material or ingredients.

The Park will attract research and innovative technology applications with a particular focus on life sciences-based activities in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. One of the first anchor developments will be Brunei's new Halal Science Center, a researchinstitute which is designed to become one of the main global centres of excellence in Halal-related activities. The Park will also be a venue for the Food Development Centre, a research and innovation for value-added processing of agricultural products and Agribusiness Incubator, which will facilitate the setup of agribusiness companies in order to tap the scientific and managerial resources and develop into viable ventures.