Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) was established in February 2016 to develop micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into resilient drivers of economic growth. DARe offers an ecosystem of initaitives to help businesses at different stages of their lifecycle from startup to growth.
DARe offers two business bootcamps: Micro and Accelerate. Micro targets the growth of smaller, self-employing businesses. Through Micro’s four-week programme, participants are taught the fundamentals of how to run sustainable, profitable businesses.
Meanwhile, the 100-day Accelerate programme looks to help startups with more ambitious plans of scaling locally and abroad by leveraging on technology, raising investment and building innovative business models.
Enterprises can also increase their competencies in specific areas by participating in DARe’s Industry Business Academy, which offers classes in a range of areas including finance, human resources management and marketing.
DARe also implements the Brunei Mentors for Entrepreneurs Network (BMEN) – which brings together leading Brunei-based business owners and professionals to offer voluntary mentorship to MSMEs.
DARe offers a joint funding grant called the Co- Matching Scheme, which provides up to BND20,000 to businesses looking to start up or expand.
DARe manages over 20 industrial parks in all four districts, including industrial land, readybuilt factories, offices and commercial spaces for lease to house business activities and operations by local MSMEs and foreign investors.
DARe also operates the startup incubation facility iCENTRE, which offers office and co-working space to startups, as well as the food and beverage (F&B) incubation space Kontena Park.
To help bolster the adoption of international standards among local businesses, DARe runs the Standards Consultancy Programme, which offers subsidised consultancy to businesses looking to obtain international certifications, including those from the International Organization for Standardization.
For businesses that have recorded six figures in annual revenue and are moving beyond the early stage of their journey, DARe runs the Elevate programme, which helps participants develop a five-year strategic roadmap for expansion, with DARe providing dedicated monitoring and support.
To help local producers access the market, the Bruneian Made initiative has online and offline sales platforms which offer favourable commission rates and supply conditions. Meanwhile, businesses looking to cater to larger corporations can access the DARe LINKS platform which provides business matching.
MSMEs signing onto DARe LINKS will also receive complementary training on being a quality service provider. DARe also works closely with government and international agencies to help local manufacturers promote their products overseas with the goal of export.
Following the second wave of COVID-19 announced by the Ministry of Health (MoH) on August 7, 2021, DARe implemented its business continuity plan, limiting physical contact within its services and assets and enhancing service delivery through online channels.
In-person services such as the business helpdesk, consultations, training programmes and other engagements were conducted virtually. Meanwhile, assets such as Kontena Park, iCENTRE and Temburong’s Tamu Aneka and Bangunan Utama Bumiputera continue to operate within MoH’s guidelines.
Across March 2021, DARe hosted a scaled down version of its MSME Festival at the Yayasan Shopping Complex. The Mini Brunei MSME Festival involved 89 vendors divided into four rotating groups showcasing their products and services every weekend.
One of DARe’s major infrastructure projects – the Pulau Muara Besar (PMB) Bridge that connects the PMB Industrial Park to Serasa – was awarded the ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Project Award at the 39th Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations.
The award showcases the bridge as one of the outstanding engineering achievements within ASEAN, demonstrating outstanding engineering in implementing various innovations in the construction engineering field. The project has facilitated the development of the petrochemical-related industry on the island which contributes towards the social and economic development of the nation.
In conjuction with Brunei’s ASEAN chairmanship, DARe also helped facilitate several businessrelated events virtually. These included hosting the fourth ASEAN Inclusive Business Summit, organising the first ASEAN and Republic of Korea Startup Festival and
Copyright 2019 Borneo Bulletin Yearbook 2019 All rights reserved.
