| Rokiah Mahmud |
WITH the domestic market being insufficient for the local cottage industry, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) must set their sights on the Asean Economic Community market.
This was said by Captain (Rtd) Zailan bin Pehin Dato Mohd Don, the Principal Mentor of the Cottage and Youth Initiative Programme (CYiP) and Advisor for the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brunei Darussalam, at a Retail and Supply Agreement signing ceremony, held yesterday between Beaute Rossera Supply and Paloma of MS Titanstar Enterprise.
The guest of honour at the signing ceremony was Datin Paduka Hajah Rokiah binti Haji Zakiah, the President of the Women’s Business Council (WBC).
Signing on behalf of Beaute Roserra was Siti Nurr Saffa Anatti binti Az Muhammad, the brand supplier and owner, with Pengiran Haji Haris bin Pengiran Duraman as witness.
Meanwhile, Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Metasim signed on behalf of retailer MS Titanstar, which was witnessed by Wee Yuh Lian.
The ceremony also coincided with a launching of Beaute Roserra products and the Paloma website, by Datin Paduka Hajah Rokiah.
In his welcoming remarks, Captain (Rtd) Zailan introduced the public to Beaute Rossera, a local brand which produces cosmetic items.
CYiP embraces five business categories – e-commerce, cosmetics, women’s clothing, menswear, and food and beverages – with the main aim of developing quality products for local brands.
At present, 65 micro and nano businesses are being facilitated by the CYiP mentorship programme, in a bid to encourage local SMEs to go global.
Captain (Rtd) Zailan bin Pehin Dato Mohd Don, the Principal Mentor of the Cottage and Youth Initiative Programme (CYiP) and Advisor for the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brunei Darussalam, delivering his welcoming remarks. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Guest of honour Datin Paduka Hajah Rokiah binti Haji Zakiah, the President of the Women’s Business Council Brunei Darussalam, in a group photo
Since the CYiP’s inception five months ago, 23 brands have already been qualified for export standards, six products approved for export and two awaiting export agreements, including those from the Beaute Rossera brand.
The programme also offers assistance to local SMEs on a daily basis, by providing focus group sessions on product quality, packaging and innovation.
In an interview with the Bulletin, Datin Paduka Hajah Rokiah expressed her pride at seeing Brunei entrepreneurs being able to develop their own products and launch them in the local market.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Beaute Roserra, Siti Nurr Saffa Anatti, told the Bulletin that consumers have confidence in her products, thanks to accreditation from the Ministry of Health and the Halal certification
When asked how she managed to acquire capital for her brand of beauty products, Siti Nurr Saffa said that she used her own money, which was originally set aside to fund further studies.
“Instead, I invested the money to build up my own brand and business,” she said.
She also has words of advice for local youths: “If they have the passion to venture in entrepreneurship, they must be willing to face challenges and risks. At the same time, they must keep going, so that they can achieve success.”
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