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ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The development of micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) is essential to achieve the
country’s vision of a dynamic and sustainable
economy. Thus, Darussalam Enterprise (DARe)
was established to develop MSMEs into
resilient drivers of economic growth.
DARe offers various services including business
bootcamps, working space and consultancy and
training to attain international certification.
Training
As part of its capacity building initiatives, DARe
conducts Bootcamps and training programmes
to strengthen participants’ business knowledge
so that they can be more effective in running
their business.
The Micro Bootcamp programme is for youth
looking to start a micro business, which is
defined as an enterprise with four or less em-
ployees. Meanwhile, the Accelerate Bootcamp
brings in private sector experts and established
entrepreneurs to train and mentor participants
in their entrepreneurial journey.
Through its Industry Business Academy, DARe
trains business owners or employees to learn
new business skills such as finance, human
resource management, marketing and other
business disciplines.
Another initiative by DARe is the Brunei
Mentors for Entrepreneurs Network (BMEN).
Business mentors are brought together, made
up of successful entrepreneurs, industry experts,
professionals and academia who share their
knowledge and mentor growing businesses.
Industrial sites, factories and work
space
DARe helps businesses by offering industrial
sites, parks and ready-built factories as well
as co-working space. The industrial sites
provide businesses a large area of space for
manufacturing or service activities, while ready-
built factories allowmicro and small businesses,
especially home-based businesses to expand
their production. DARe currently manages 25
industrial sites in all four districts.
Among the spaces offered by DARe is the
iCentre, a startup incubation programme and co-
working space for entrepreneurs, as well as the
Knowledge Hub (KHUB) to develop innovative
industries. The recently revamped Kontena Park
provides a platform for foodpreneurs to test and
validate their products in a real market setting
before they migrate to a commercial space to
grow their business.
Market access
DARe’s various market access initiatives help
businesses expand overseas. Through the
Standards Consultancy Programme, companies
receive consultancy and training to attain
international certification such as ISO 22000
and ISO9001, assuring quality of their products
and services.
According to DARe CEO Javed Ahmad, several
businesses in the country have received ISO
certification. DARe aims to help local businesses
in other sectors such as service and cosmetics
to attain international certification and prepare
them for growth domestically and export.