| Azaraimy HH in Nanning |
MICRO and small businesses from Brunei Darussalam selling local products garnered strong interest among participants at the 14th China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning, China recently.
Locally made products such as food and handicrafts were considered to be exotic and of high quality despite being regarded as a little steep in terms of prices. However, to sell their products to Chinese consumers at the expo, the Bruneian participants had to cut prices at the CAEXPO.
Being the ‘Country of Honour’ this year, some local Chinese visitors indicated that the Brunei Commodity Pavilion was the best in terms of design and organisation during the 14th CAEXPO.
Felix Wu , an experienced trade exhibitor organiser in China, said the Brunei Commodity Pavilion was his favourite this year due to its design and neat organisation. He added that the Sultanate should continue to attract businesses and consumers during the CAEXPO.
Javed Ahmad, DARe (Darussalam Enterprise) CEO, in an interview with the Bulletin said that response has been very good. He added that 119 local companies participated at the CAEXPO along with other companies from China and Asean member countries.
“The objective is not only to sell at this particular function but also to forge business relations and to continue to supply to the region’s vast market,” he stated.
Cooperative body, Koperasi Samakaya, one of the participants, sold three Brunei Halal products with four varied tastes as well as prawn crackers and chili sauce products. The cooperative body was established in 1978. A representative said response to their products was positive.
Owner of Syarikat Seri Pekatan Sdn Bhd, Hajah Noor Monasaliena @ Suzie binti Haji Mohd Salleh, brought over four types of fish crackers – prawn, fish, cuttlefish and seafood. She said they sold $1,000 worth of products during the first day of the expo while they sold $2,000 worth of products during the second day.
She said participating in the CAEXPO served as a learning process. During the first participation, they brought over raw food, but was not received well. This year, they improvised and brought over ready-to-eat products in attractive packs.
Betye Beauty and Health Establishment, represented by Normazi Rozita binti Omar and her husband Roslan bin POKP Haji Manan, brought over home-made products. Normazi Rozita said their organic health and beauty products were well received.
Meanwhile, Salwaa Beauty, brought over a unique make-up product packed in a convenient user-friendly lipstick-like design.
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