Answer to Oral Question PL150

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG ZAINOL BIN HAJI MOHAMED asks the MINISTER AT THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE AND MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMY II to state what the Ministry's strategy is to formulate a comprehensive and structured empowerment of the district economy? This is so that rural development is not only small-scale in stages, but is able to contribute to national economic growth through the active participation of local enterprises.

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II

Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua,

Kaola would like to express appreciation to Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed for the question regarding the Ministry's strategy to formulate a comprehensive and structured empowerment of the district economy.

In this matter, the implementation of the Economic Blueprint framework for Brunei Darussalam, particularly also through Aspiration I, namely Productive and Rapid Enterprises, is relevant. The policy direction under this aspiration encourages broad-based growth by strengthening priority sectors, including exploring new economic activities while attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). The development of local enterprises and FDI, which is not only focused in urban areas but also includes rural areas, is among the main strategies that also support the development of five (5) priority sectors.

For example, several local enterprises and FDI companies have been supported in their development in Tutong District, such as Golden Corporation, which is an aquaculture and seafood/fish processing enterprise and is expanding cold storage and logistics infrastructure. In addition, Mori Farm, an enterprise that prioritises chemical-free farming methods in producing organic and herbal products in powder form such as mint, dill, lemongrass and oregano, is also based at Sinaut Agriculture Training Centre in Kampong Sinaut, Tutong. Among Mori Farm's achievements is also the company's participation in the ASEAN Trade Fair 2022 in South Korea, representing the country for organic and herbal products, thereby providing international exposure, as well as certification opportunities for the export market.

In the tourism sector, Freme Travel Services has successfully provided tourism services through 3 branches in Kuala Belait, Seria and Bandar Seri Begawan. The company also operates Freme Rainforest Lodge in Temburong and offers eco-tourism packages such as tours to Ulu Temburong National Park. In addition, The Abode Resort and Spa, a resort based on an eco-tourism concept, which also uses solar energy, is located in Labu, Temburong.

With the implementation of this policy direction and continued support for local enterprises, it is hoped that it will contribute to district economic development in a more inclusive and sustainable manner, and subsequently to the country's overall economic progress.

For the information of Your Honourable Members, the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) also provides training programmes and entrepreneurship guidance initiatives and market access, including in supporting the Satu Kampong Satu Produk (1K1P) initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

BEDB is also actively conducting dialogue sessions and direct engagement with partners such as chambers of commerce and enterprises as part of BEDB's efforts to better understand the challenges faced by MSMEs, including those operating in rural areas.

Among BEDB's recent efforts was a Roundtable Dialogue session with the Belait District Business Community on 12 December 2024, from which the dialogue session had identified 6 critical challenges affecting the development of MSME businesses in the district. This effort was also continued with the organisation of an Opportunity Framing Workshop on 25 June 2025 with stakeholders in Belait District. The workshop identified 28 social and economic potentials expected to help generate economic activities.

In addition, other initiatives that have been carried out include the MSME Roundtable Series event on 10 July 2025 involving entrepreneurs in Brunei's food industry; the implementation of sharing sessions on services offered by BEDB with Kampong communities through the Program Masyarakat Bermaklumat organised by the Information Department, which has also included participation from various districts. In addition, BEDB has also conducted several engagement sessions and entrepreneurship training with business communities at the grassroots level, including stall hawkers and tamu, which were also held in Temburong District, Majlis Perundingan Kampong Bang Taong, Mukim Apak-Apak in Belait District and so on.

The Ministry of Finance and Economy greatly appreciates the integrated involvement and close cooperation that has been given by all stakeholders thus far. The Ministry will remain committed to further enhancing efforts in coordinating and driving the country's economic development, not only in rural areas, but comprehensively, with the cooperation of all stakeholders including government agencies and the private sector.

That is all, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.