China's 155-year-old bun brand partners Singapore firm

Goubuli, the renowned Chinese food brand known for its steamed stuffed buns, forged partnership with a Singapore food brand on Wednesday to sell its products in the Asia Pacific market.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding at the 6th Singapore-Tianjin Economic and Trade Council meeting on Wednesday.

Goubuli, which is headquartered in Tianjin, China, was established in 1858 and has been one of the most well-known local flavors in China.

The partnership will leverage the distribution network of Singapore-based food manufacturer Tee Yih Jia in over 50 cities to distribute the products of Goubuli.

"We hope that the famous Tianjin Goubuli buns will soon be seen in supermarkets in the Asia Pacific region," said Khaw Boon Wan, Singapore's national development minister and co-chairman of the 6th Singapore-Tianjin Economic and Trade Council meeting.

The cooperation between Singapore and Tianjin, a major port city near Beijing, has been growing fast in recent years, partly thanks to the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, a flagship cooperation project spearheading China's pursuit of sustainable development.

Khaw said Singapore welcomes Tianjin enterprises to set up base in Singapore to leverage its networks to expand into the regional market.

"This is a meaningful partnership that not only benefits both companies. It helps to bring a part of Tianjin's flavor and culture further afield," he said.