Biz Brunei

30/11/2024

Married couple Afiqah Maisurah Leong and Awaluddin Othman run a home business producing pure peanut butter and frozen, marinated ready-to-cook lamb and chicken that’s now in supermarkets.

Their peanut butter, originally created to address Afiqah's lactose intolerance, is made entirely from roasted peanuts with no added sugar, salt, oil, or preservatives.

With support from DARe through the Bruneian Made initiative, both M2 Victoria and De' Marinades have expanded their market presence, supplying major supermarkets like Hua Ho, Supa Save, Utama Grand, and First Emporium.

Catch M2 Victoria at this year’s Local Product Expo running until Sunday at Bridex.

29/11/2024

When COVID-19 caused a downturn in students at the tuition centre where he worked, Ramzi Hamzah turned to the carpentry skills passed down by his late father.

Through RR Catiosmith, he found his niche in crafting pet houses and structures.

With support from DARe, he joined the Accelerate startup development programme and secured a factory space at the Beribi Industrial Park, transforming his home business into an enterprise that now employs four people.

Catch RR Catiosmith at this year's Local Product Expo running at Bridex until Sunday, with special promotions on select products.

29/11/2024

Hazwan began selling crying tiger beef with his wife, Dk Nur Syakirah, in 2020. She passed away last year, but Hazwan remains determined to continue her recipes and legacy through their business named after her, Nur Ar-Rahman Enterprise.

With support from DARe, Nur Ar-Rahman has grown from a home-based business to operating from a halal-certified commercial facility in Mata-Mata, increasing their production and market reach.

Catch Nur Ar-Rahman’s products at this weekend’s Local Product Expo at Bridex. Their products are also available at Hua Ho H2 branches in Kiulap, Salar, Gadong, Tutong, and One City.

29/11/2024

For the past two decades, Hjh Rosnani has championed the production of the Bruneian delicacy belutak—a traditional fermented sausage with a distinct taste and texture similar to cured meats.

Today, Nikmat Rose operates from DARe's Beribi Industrial Park. She has achieved both halal certification and the internationally recognized GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certification—a significant milestone for a product that started in a residential kitchen.

Check out Nikmat Ros' belutak—in original and spicy flavors—alongside their lalap, a jerky-like traditional meat delicacy that's ready to eat, at the Local Product Expo running at Bridex until Sunday.

28/11/2024

Brunei's biggest showcase of local products and services is back from Thursday to Sunday this week at Bridex!

Organized by MPRT in collaboration with MOFE, MOHA and DARe, the Local Product Expo (LPE) officially kicks off the Brunei December Festival, a month-long campaign featuring staycation offers, activities, and promotions.

LPE highlights vendors from 13 categories:

• Agriculture and agri-food
• Business, finance, and banking
• Construction and interior design
• Fisheries and fish processing
• Food and beverages
• Tourism and hospitality
• Creative products
• Fashion and apparel
• Technology and ICT

Visitors can also explore various daily activities, including laser tag, cultural dish-making, crafts workshops and quizzes.

Additionally, the expo will host business-related talks and entrepreneurship-sharing sessions featuring insights from over 18 national agencies and businesses.

Shuttle bus services are also available from JP Amphitheatre to Bridex throughout the expo.

LPE aims to support local businesses by providing an affordable platform to expand their market reach and raise public awareness of locally made products and services.

It also seeks to generate income opportunities and foster business networks through direct buyer engagement and supplier-wholesaler matchmaking.

25/11/2024

Indian FDI Polygel, which established operations in Brunei in 2018 to produce speciality chemicals for export, is now planning a new site at the Sungai Liang Industrial Park to produce chemical intermediates by 2027, utilising downstream products from BFI, BMC, and Hengyi.

Polygel will use feedstock from Brunei’s major downstream projects to manufacture intermediates at Sg Liang Industrial Park.

25/11/2024

We’re launching our new FDI series by spotlighting Polygel, Brunei's first specialty chemicals manufacturer based in Salambigar.

Since setting up in Brunei in 2018, Polygel has exported to global industrial leaders like SABIC, Reliance, and Nova Chemicals, reaching over 250 customers across 50 countries.

Founded in India in 1997, Polygel specializes in catalysts and additives that support a range of manufacturing applications, enhancing the performance and quality of final consumer products.

Among Polygel’s branded offerings, the catalyst PUREti speeds up drying and improves adhesion in coatings and paints, while the additive PUREstab strengthens plastics, making them more resistant to heat and light.

Now, Polygel is expanding with a new plant in SPARK, set to produce chemical intermediates like acetic acid and aniline, essential for industries such as plastics, synthetic fibers, and pharmaceuticals.

The intermediates will be created using feedstock from Brunei's major downstream players: Brunei Fertilizer Industries, Brunei Methanol Company and Hengyi Industries.

Expected to be completed by 2027, the new venture is projected to increase Polygel's workforce by more than seven times its current headcount of almost 30—with 80% of the roles targeted for Bruneians.

23/11/2024

Beginning as a furniture subcontractor in 1988, Kenview Enterprise Sdn Bhd has grown into a full-fledged provider of interior design, renovation, and custom furniture solutions for businesses and individual clients.

Led by brothers Jermain Kang and Gordino Kang, the family-run business has diversified and expanded its operations, relocating from a residential area to their own 1.5-acre factory in the 2000s at the Salar Industrial Park, which is now managed by DARe.

Kenview has also incorporated international brands, including Oppolia and Blum, into its portfolio and established its customer showroom in Batu Bersurat.

With these partnerships, alongside its own products and services, the company is planning to expand into neighbouring markets, particularly Sarawak.

Kenview recently participated in the Forestry Department's National Wood Products Expo, an event held to promote local craftsmanship and celebrate sustainable forestry.

20/11/2024

Brunei recorded its highest ship traffic last year, highlighting the sector’s growth potential and marking the timely launch of the inaugural Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week (BDMW).

Listen to the key points by MTIC Minister YB Pg Dato Shamhary Mustapha at the event's launch yesterday, organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam.

Running from November 19 to 21 at Bridex, the event brings together key private and public sector agencies to showcase and collaborate on the latest opportunities and developments in the maritime industry.

Open to the public, the event features exhibitions from 35 participants, dialogue sessions with local and international experts, and spotlights career opportunities and innovations in the maritime sector.

Themed ‘Technological Innovations and Sustainable Maritime Development’, aligning with this year’s World Maritime Day theme, ‘Navigating the Future: Safety First’.

15/11/2024

Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam’s Project Tunas at the Mega Karnival isn’t just a showcase of local products—it’s a platform for underprivileged, grassroots, and micro businesses to shine.

Developed in collaboration with Ministry of Home Affairs since 2022, Project Tunas has established retail marketplaces at the Ministry of Home Affairs building and the Temburong District Office, with plans to expand to Tutong and Belait.

The programme brings together entrepreneurs from village consultative councils, inmates under the Prisons Department, underprivileged mothers in BIBD SEED, muallafpreneurs from Ministry of Religious Affairs, as well as students from IGS College.

Discover a variety of food, cultural items, handicrafts, and furniture at the Project Tunas showcase in the Mega Karnival—open until Sunday at Bridex.

15/11/2024

Another highlight at Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam's Mega Karnival is the coffee pavilion in Bridex Hall 2, featuring over 20 homegrown coffee businesses.

Organised in collaboration with Brunei Coffee Collective, the pavilion celebrates Brunei’s thriving coffee culture.

Firdaus Omar, co-founder of both cafe and sandwich specialist Noice and coffee supplier and consultant Grey Matter Coffee Werks, offers a glimpse of what’s in store for visitors.

Activities include a coffee cupping session today, a coffee trends talk on Saturday, and a latte art competition on Sunday, judged by a visiting expert from Singapore.

15/11/2024

Since rolling out to supermarkets six months ago, Dapur Lagenda Bn's homemade daging lalap—a Bruneian meat jerky—has been a quick hit, selling close to 4 tonnes of beef monthly, with plans to soon move to a commercial factory.

Haikal’s next step to expand his reach is at Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam's Mega Karnival, running until Sunday, in the local products booth just outside Bridex Hall 2.

Dapur Lagenda is part of the Brunei Economic Development Board's ecosystem through DARe, having joined its Micro Bootcamp and the Bruneian Made programmes.

15/11/2024

The pairing of selling saltwater aquarium fish and coffee makes Reef Cafe one of the most unique cafes in Brunei.

Faiz Zul Hamdi Ahmad started selling saltwater pet fish from his home garage in 2021—a niche considering pet fish are primarily freshwater—before moving to a commercial location.

When the fish business of Reef Aquatics didn't take off quickly due to the pandemic, Faiz diversified by opening a cafe in the same location.

At Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam's Mega Karnival, Reef is showcasing their cafe and saltwater aquarium services at their booth located in a tent just outside Hall 2, Bridex.

Reef doesn’t just sell fish but offers a complete saltwater aquarium ecosystem, now expanding into educational workshops.

Reef is part of Darussalam Enterprise's ecosystem, including its iCentre incubation programme.

15/11/2024

Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam’s biggest event yet—the Mega Karnival—kicked off this week at Bridex and continues until this Sunday.

Featuring over 300 booths, $300,000 in giveaways, and 30 activities, the Karnival is BIBD’s first major event designed to engage all segments of the market.

09/11/2024

Did you know that Brunei will launch its first integrated marine maintenance and decommissioning yard in 2026? We take a look at the groundbreaking of the pioneering project.

09/11/2024

Take a closer look at Bruneian-made products displayed on the shelves inside one of Singapore’s most iconic shopping malls, Mustafa Centre.

09/11/2024

To mark the launch of direct flights between Brunei and India via Chennai by Royal Brunei Airlines, BEDB hosted the Brunei-India Business Exchange Mission. This included Brunei's first Investment Seminar in Chennai, attended by over 100 guests, to boost trade and investment ties.

BEDB hosted Brunei's first Investment Seminar in Chennai, tying in with RB's flights to the city, directly connecting India and Brunei.

08/11/2024

Applications for the upcoming Bruneian Made Hub at The Mall are still open until November 11.

Set to open by year-end, the hub relocates from its previous space at The One, continuing to offer dedicated areas for local producers.

Monthly rental rates per business space are as follows:

F&B (Dry Food): BND 60.00
F&B (Chilled/Frozen): BND 75.00
Souvenir/Accessories: BND 80.00
Personal Care: BND 100.00
Fashion: BND 100.00

These rates provide each business with a dedicated space for product display, allowing vendors to retain revenue from sales. Full space specifications will be provided to applying vendors soon.

Registration can be completed through research.net/r/BMHUB_REG

Bruneian Made, an initiative by the Brunei Economic Development Board through DARe, supports local producers in gaining wider market access. The new outlet is part of this broader effort, offering a dedicated retail platform for local products.