SINGAPORE (May 17): Sino-Singapore Jilin Food Zone (SSJFZ), the large-scale integrated agricultural zone jointly developed by China and Singapore, today saw the signing of two new MoUs.

SSJFZ is managed by Sino-Singapore Jilin Food Zone Development and Management Co. (JVMC), a joint venture between Singbridge — a member of Ascendas-Singbridge Group — and China’s Jilin City Government.

The first MoU was signed between North Star Food Product, a food product trading subsidiary under the Ascendas-Singbridge Group, and Keppel Logistics — a subsidiary of Keppel Telecommunications & Transportation.

The MoU established a strategic partnership to bring quality food products from China, including those from SSJFZ that are marketed under the premium “Brilliance” brand of products, to Singapore and South East Asia, using Keppel Logistics’ end-to-end logistics capabilities.

In addition, Guangze Group also inked a MoU with JVMC today to mark the adoption of Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS) standards at its cheese powder processing plant in SSJFZ, to ensure high manufacturing standards and food safety control of its dairy products. The IFSS uses AVA’s experience in Singapore’s stringent food safety requirements to build competency of the local authorities.

The plant was initiated last month and is expected to start production in August. With the completion of the IFSS implementation, Guangze will be able to tap the potential of a wider consumer market, including Singapore and the region.

As a Foot and Mouth Disease Free Zone accredited by China’s Ministry of Agriculture in 2012 and endorsed by AVA, SSJFZ has attracted nearly 40 projects, with a total investment value of RMB15 billion (S$3 billion) to date.

These include the Integrated Pig Farm (IPF) which broke ground last month and projects that are expected to start production this year, such as a 30,000-tonne flammulina production line, condiments’ production facilities, and recycling production facilities for disposable utensils.

Following the success of Fragrance 43ºN japonica rice, a number of health-promoting quality products from SSJFZ such as white and yellow millet, black fungus and asparagus, are expected to enter the Singapore market later this year.

Moving forward, SSJFZ will focus on developing meat products, dairy products, aquaculture, high tech farming, specialty health supplements from Changbai Mountains, baby foods and food additives related industry, while exploring opportunities in areas related to biotechnology, leisure and wellness, as well as tertiary services industry.