James Kon
Members of the public will have more reason to visit the Pasarneka and Tamu Tutong Complex on Thursdays, following yesterday’s launching of the One Village, One Product (1K1P) weekly market.
The platform for the promotion of 1K1P products was officially opened by Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong.
Among those present were Legislative Council (LegCo) members, senior government officials and village heads at the Tutong District. An initiative of the Tutong District Office, Tutong Municipal Department and the Tutong District Creative and Development Body, the weekly market aims to provide a conceptual business environment to increase the marketability of 1K1P products on a sustainable basis.
Seventeen entrepreneurs from the Tutong District, two from the Brunei-Muara District and one from the Belait District will showcase their products at the newly launched market.
Acting Tutong District Officer Ajmin bin Haji Meludin said, “Statistics indicate there are around 4,000 visitors to the Tutong market, so it is an appropriate move to introduce the 1K1P weekly market here, and make use of the opportunities to diversify marketing approaches in creating a business networking hub for 1K1P products.”
In an interview, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar said, “Being located strategically at the Pasarneka and Tamu Tutong Complex, we believe the weekly market can attract more visitors.
“Although space within the premises can only accommodate 20 vendors, more 1K1P entrepreneurs will be given the opportunity to take part in the coming weeks.”
He added, “The Ministry of Home Affairs is cooperating with Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) in conducting a course for 36 1K1P entrepreneurs, which has helped identify 10 potential 1K1P products to be further developed.
“This programme will continue to be delivered. Apart from providing guidance on entrepreneurship and how to run a business, it will also teach the participants how to boost the quality of their products. Some of them are also involved in the 1K1P weekly market, and they are trying to improve the quality of their packaging and add more variety.
“In the future, these products can become prime products after undergoing an upgrade.”