BRIDEX 2009: A job well done

IT WAS a job truly well done! As seen from the wide coverage made by both the printed and electronic media, the successful staging of the second Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition and Conference 2009 (BRIDEX 2009) has surpassed the expectations of its organiser, Royal Brunei Technical Services (RBTS).

The strong positive response and support from both international and local delegates, exhibitors as well as trade visitors has definitely placed Brunei Darussalam and BRIDEX as a not-to-be-missed-event in the world's calendar for defence industry.

The closing of BRIDEX 2009 has marked a great national achievement for the people of Brunei as well as a history in the making. These and other remarks were heard from the Deputy Minister of Defence Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohammad Yasmin Hj Umar on Saturday evening during the BRIDEX 2009 Appreciation Dinner at the Royal Berkshire Hall in Jerudong Polo Club.

The deputy minister, in his speech, also conveyed His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's satisfaction and sincerest appreciation to everyone involved in the running and handling of BRIDEX 2009 by saying that His Majesty is indeed very happy and proud of all of them.

Lt Col (Rtd) Amir Hamzah Hj Hanafi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RBTS said that initially no one actually thought that RBTS could organise such a huge event as it was simply a procurement agency for the government, but through teamwork and good leadership, RBTS managed to make the event possible.

Promoting the exhibition was also a challenge due to the ongoing global financial crisis and the H1N1 pandemic, but even RBTS was surprised that the entire exhibition space was taken up. It was announced that some 34 companies have registered with RBTS for the next edition of BRIDEX in 2011.

The number of companies which signed up for 2011 will already be taking up half of the space at the BRIDEX building, which has a total exhibition space of 10,000 square metres.

With interested companies wishing to take a much bigger space for the next event as compared to this year, plans of expansion have been taken into consideration, including building another hall.

The decision for expansion was also made due to the overwhelming responses by the delegates, exhibitors, trade visitors and the public on the overall success of BRIDEX 2009.

The delegates were very impressed with the organisers' professional handling of the prestigious event. Many of the delegates were impressed that the event was very well organised and all things were taken care of, from their visit programme to the travel to the accommodation and more importantly, the courtesy calls on various senior officials at the Ministry of Defence.

The exhibitors were overwhelmed with how the event has been planned and organised. Most importantly, they have met their expectations for the delegate traffic. That is one of the key indicators to a successful event. And of course the public response has also been very positive and overwhelming.

The public came in big numbers to support the event from Friday to Saturday. Judging from the smiles on their faces during their visit, they truly enjoyed the military and aerial demonstrations, and the exhibition provided education and knowledge to the public with the various state-of-the-art equipment and solutions in the defence and security industry. And of course BRIDEX also serves as a good recruiting campaign for Brunei's armed and security forces.

"Overall, BRIDEX 2009 is a huge success, and we're all looking forward to make BRIDEX 2011 an even bigger success," Pehin Dato Haji Mohammad Yasmin concluded. BRIDEX 2009 has truly shown that through good teamwork and cooperation, Bruneians can confidently host and stage world-class events.