Bandar Seri Begawan – Trade Exposition, which Brunei Darussalam is
currently hosting at the International Convention Centre in Berakas, is
an important event, as delegates from the Sultanate, Indonesia,
Malaysia and Philippines will be holding key discussions on business
opportunities that could elevate trade, investment and tourism in the
Asean region.
The BIMP-EAGA Trade Exposition, which is themed “Move B1MP-EAGA
Beyond 2010”, is open to the public between 10am and 10pm from August 5
to August 9.
Over 100 exhibitors have signed up for the five-day event, including
representatives from Japanese and BIMP-EAGA companies. Between 50 and
60 companies from Brunei, mostly SMEs, will also be involved in the
expo.
Hj Ismail Hj Damit, the Chief Executive Officer and Event Management
Consultant of Brunei’s B1MP-EAGA Business Council, said that the expo
is an ideal venue to promote local SMEs to the international market.
Incubation programmes will also be organised for incubators to help them elevate their products.
Hj Ismail encouraged local companies not to miss this opportunity to
expand their network contacts and to learn more about business
opportunities available out there.
Ten experts and leading business figures from countries such as
Japan, Germany and Philippines will be sharing their experiences at the
BIMP-EAGABusiness Conference, which will run from August 6 to August 7.
The event is expected to be officiated by the guest of honour, Dato
Lim Jock Hoi, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs & Trade.
The first speaker for the conference will be Nazmi Mohammad, the
Deputy Permanent Secretary (Trade) at the Ministry of ForeignAffairs
& Trade, who will be giving an overview of the Asean Economic
Community.
Two other local speakers – Javed Ahmad, Managing Director of Brunei
Islam Brunei Darussalam, and Thomas Koh, Vice President Brunei Freight
Forwarders Association – will be sharing their experience on the second
day of the conference.
Local business entrepreneurs who are taking part in the expo will
have the opportunity to mingle with BIMP-EAGA ministers and delegates
during a “business matching and networking” session.
Meanwhile, Brunei’s Ministry of Foreign & Trade will be hosting
the 14th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Dinner at the Berkshire Hall of Jerudong
Polo Club on August 8. The Ministerial Meeting will be preceded by the
18th B1MP-EAGA Senior Officials Meeting, which will run from August 5
to August 6.
One of the key issues that are expected to be discussed during the
meetings is the progress of the implementation of the BIMP-EAGA Roadmap
to Development 2006-2010, which includes developments in priority areas
of B1MPEAGAsuch as transportation, natural resource, SMEs and tourism.
The future direction of BIMP-EAGA beyond 2010 will also be discussed.
A Total of 150 Delegates from the BIMP-EAGA countries is expected to
attend the meeting together with delegates from Australia, Japan, Asian
Development Bank, BIMP-EAGA Business Council and German Technical
Cooperation (GTZ).
On August 8, a representative from the local private sector will be
able to share their thoughts on matters related to BIMP-EAGA during a
ministerial session.
This will be followed a talk by an invited guest speaker, Tengku
Zainal Adlin, the Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board, who will be touching
on the potential of tourism within BIMP-EAGA during a luncheon with
delegates and senior officials.
— Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
