| James Kon |
NUMEROUS local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are currently showcasing unique products catered to Brunei’s market at the ongoing cultural and trade fair held at the Dermaga Diraja to coincide with the official designation of Bandar Seri Begawan as the Asean City of Culture for 2016-2017.
Organised by the Brunei Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DPPMB) and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the fair that also aimed to promote local culture, arts and businesses started yesterday and will conclude on Sunday.
One of the participating local vendors is selling ‘The Natural Bar’ all-natural skincare products that are produced without chemical or preservatives.
The Natural Bar is the brainchild of Patricia and Adrenne Chin who started the unique business in 2013 after finding it difficult to find natural skincare products overseas.
Patricia Chin in an interview with the Bulletin, said, “We did a lot of research and trial and error before finally able to produce our own range of skincare products. Currently, the Natural Bar products cater to adults, children as well as babies.”
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, and delegates of AMCA witnessing a spinning top demonstration.
Rozi Yunos and Wina Hafiza of ‘Make a Book’ .
Delegates of AMCA at the fair. – PHOTOS: JAMES KON
“We are looking into more products and also hitting the international market in the future,” added Adrenne Chin.
Another unique local business in the fair is ‘Make a Book’. The business idea came from Rozi Yunos and Wina Hafiza in 2008 when Rozi completed her master’s degree and dissertation on making a book.
Rozi learned the art of book making with some of the ancient binding skills dating to 2,000 years ago, such as Coptic and French Link binding. Public interest for the business has grown since it was established.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, as well as delegates attending the 7th Meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA) visited the fair yesterday.
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