Bridex'09 highlights role of SMEs

LOCAL Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were briefed recently on thesignificance of their roles if they choose to participate in Bridex 2009, the premier defence conference and exhibition in Asia.

The opportunity given to the SMEs was highlighted as a win-win situation during the "Information Day" which was held at Holiday Lodge in Jerudong, conducted and presented by the Bridex committee as well as representatives of the Royal Brunei Technical Services (RBTS) with support from the Ministry of Defence (MinDef).

Present during the event was the Chief Executive Officer of Bridex, Lt Col (Rtd) Amir Hamzah Hanafi, Marina Yahya the deputy chief executive and Hj Abu Bakar Hj Ladi, head of Business Development Unit of RBTS. Around 50 representatives from different local SMEs attended the briefing.

Local SMEs were also given a brief introduction on Bridex 2009 of which the main points were that Bridex is where all the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of defence and security equipment and systems will showcase their products as well as their services. Bridex will see the involvement of high level international government and defence security officials. It acts as an exclusive marketplace to showcase and discover latest, innovative and value enhancing technology-based solutions and services. In addition, it is an excellent platform for networking and enhancing relationships with foreign exhibitors and other companies involved in the exhibition. Those who attended were also informed that the last event which was held in 2007 involved 108 exhibitors from 16 countries, international delegates from 17 countries and had been attended by 11,000,000 visitors in the course of three days. This year it is predicted that the event will be no less of a premiere event.

Guidelines were given to those in attendance on what should be included in their proposals such as information on the products or services that they would be offering, what they expected in return of their involvement and how they would share their rewards or profit. A question and answer session was held where most of the inquiries given by the local SMEs were answered by the committee.

Some suggested facilities that SMEs may be able to facilitate were Business Centres where exhibitors could use the facilities to help them with their business transactions and other services such as sending emails, photocopy important documents and make calls to their respective headquarters.

Bridex is also looking for on the spot banking services such as cash withdrawal, bank transfers and other banking services to aid both exhibitors and vendors.

For the convenience of the exhibitors, Bridex are also inviting SMEs to provide certain services such as Porter Services counters, smoothies and ice-cream kiosks, buggy services for the transport of exhibitors and visitors to and from the registration gate and the entrance of the exhibition hall. Other services suggested by Bridex is concierge services which may act as a stowage locker for baggage or any other items for the exhibitors to be kept at a safe and secure place.

The committee informed The Brunei Times that the event is a great platform not just to showcase the latest in defence technologies but also has the potential for the host country to show its services, culture and identity, and that is the role of the SMEs—providing the foreign exhibitors and foreign delegates a wondrous an unique experience that Brunei can provide.

They further stated that cooperation from all parties is crucial in making Bridex 2009 an event that would be truly memorable for both the host country and especially for the participating foreign investors as well as the foreign delegates who are participating in what the French have labelled as the world's premier defence security event in Asia.

After the briefing, some of the representatives of the local SMEs were invited to visit the site of the "New Exhibition Centre" in Jerudong, still under construction and is expected to be completed by the month of July, informed Pg Shararuddin Pg Hj Tuah, Bridex's manager of operations.

The submission deadline for applications is Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 3:30pm addressed to the Chairman of Organising Bridex Facilities at the Sixth Floor, Setia Kenangan Office Block, Setia Kenangan Complex, Kg Kiulap, BSB, BE 1518. For further enquires, contact Bridex via email at vendors@bridex2009.com or Faizah@bridex2009.com or contact +673 2383718, or fax Bridex at +673 238055.

The Brunei Times