Bandar Seri Begawan - The Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar officiated the Indonesia Brunei and International Trade-Networking Expo (IBITEX) 2012 yesterday.

The opening ceremony at the Airport Mall began with a dance performance from Indonesia followed by welcoming remarks by the General Manager of MediaHub, Kenny Wong who amongst all noted that the event serves as an effective platform for entrepreneurs in Brunei, Indonesia, Sabah and Sarawak to reach their maximum marketing potential.

Although Brunei may seem to have a small market, with a population of just over 300,000, with the estimated population of the entire Borneo region being 22 million, this can pave the way for all the merchants to meet and do business together through the business matching and networking.

Also delivering a speech was the Indonesian Ambassador to Brunei, Handriyo Kusumo Priyo.

The ambassador said Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam's bilateral ties encompass all areas of cooperation and have steadily strengthened over the years particularly in trade and investment, energy, agriculture, forestry, culture, religion and tourism.

Apart from the participation of Indonesian entrepreneurs in local expo, entrepreneurs from Brunei also had their share of business opportunities where last month 16 local entrepreneurs participated in the Trade Expo Indonesia and had the chance to attend one-on-one business meeting with several Indonesian businessmen.

Their participation, added the ambassador, was appreciated by the Indonesian government particularly by the National Agency for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Overseas Workers (BNP2TKI) who have given a positive response to the demand of Indonesia's skilled workers from Brunei entrepreneurs.

The trade and networking expo is designed to reaffirm the close cooperation between the two countries that has become the strong fundamental reason for the robust partnership that both countries enjoyed.

On the other hand, the expo aims to facilitate the entrepreneurs from both countries to share information and enlarge networking opportunities among the buyers and suppliers and to discuss how to set the practical path of interacting business communities of the two countries.

"I am convinced that the expo would be an added value to the common endeavors of the two countries to strengthen bilateral trade, build much better understanding and mutual business confidence between businessmen".

Following the opening, the minister also launched the Mi Sedaap new flavour "Kari Kaaw", after which he took time to tour the participating booths.

A collaboration between the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia here, PT AALIYAH CITRA Prima based in Indonesia and MediaHub Event Management, the expo will conclude on December 2.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin