@usembassybsb is partnering with @darussalamenterprise to launch the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in Brunei for the first time this October 2021.⁣ ⁣ The top three participants will stand a chance to receive up to US$3,000 each in funding after a pitch at the end of their course. ⁣ ⁣ AWE will be conducted through an online training platform called DreamBuilder, where participants will undertake 13 modules covering the basics of starting and growing a business, taking approximately 30 hours to complete.⁣ ⁣ The programme is targeting 30 Brunei-based women entrepreneurs between 18 to 40-years-old who are in the early starges of starting or running a business and have limited business backgrounds or training.⁣ ⁣ Registration is open online through www.surveymonkey.com/r/awebrunei until October 11, 2021.

The Ministry of Finance and Economy last Saturday announced new financial assistance to Bruneians working in the private sector that have been affected by the ongoing pandemic.⁣ ⁣ For more information contact [email protected] or TAP at 2382800 or 2382929.

The mandatory registration through mtic.gov.bn will take approximately three days, and will provide the public with an online directory of runners in Brunei.⁣ ⁣ As part of registration, runners will have to adhere to new guidelines or SOPs, which includes undergoing the swab test at the drive-through centre Bridex every week.⁣ ⁣ The new registration requirement comes after a surge in demand for delivery services during the ongoing pandemic. ⁣ ⁣ Runners are currently unregulated within the country, and the registration ensures runner data is centralised and adhereing to best practices.⁣ ⁣ @mtic.bn also said that runners cannot operate between 8pm to 4am under the regulations of operasi pulih, which limits residents leaving home for essential work and emergencies starting October 4 to 17.⁣

With 210 cases today and over 2,000 active cases in total stretching isolation and treatment centres to 78% capacity, the Prime Minister's Office today announced new restrictions on public movement in the evenings to limit gatherings and outdoor activities.⁣ ⁣ At the same time, the government hopes to speed up vaccination, given its proven efficiacy in reducing hospitalisation amongst COVID-19 cases. The government aims to fully vaccinate 80% of the population by the end of the year. ⁣ Operasi Pulih or 'recovery operation' hopes to control the outbreak to enable the country to safely return to normal and help the nation's economy recover from the pandemic.

@agromemarket's online store has enabled them to operate safely during the pandemic by continuing to accept orders online while being closed for walk-ins. Agrome is now processing upwards of a hundred orders a day of fruits, vegetables and healthy snacks and drinks for delivery and pick-up.⁣ ⁣ Agrome is registered with @ekadaibrunei.bn, the country's official e-commerce directory by @aiti.brunei. eKadai has over 50 vendors providing a range of product and services which customers can shop from the comfort of their homes during the ongoing pandemic.

Brunei-based designs in architecture, print, digital and fashion were recognized in the first local Design Awards hosted virtually in conjunction with the Design Week 2021.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (@fass_ubd) hosted the awards that were assesed by a panel comprising of local and international judges.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ To enable the public to view the award-winning entries, the organisers have put together a virtual exhibition on designweek.com.bn/design-awards.html⁣⁣

Over 20 talks, masterclasses and workshops are being held online until September 26 under the country's first @designweek.bn organised by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (@fass_ubd).⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Design Week hopes to bring together emerging and established leaders in the field of design in the country to share how the practice has and can be used to elevate business, social and ecological causes. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Registration for all sessions are free, except for the two workshops on branding and e-commerce. For more information visit @designweek.bn or designweek.com.bn

An increasing number of residents and businesses are using the mobile delivery app @onz.brunei to send parcels across the country, 24 hours a day.⁣ ⁣ ONZ has received over 10,000 downloads on the Apple App Store and Google Play, with each parcel delivery also insured for up to $5,000.

Brunei’s first parcel delivery mobile application @onz.brunei has hit an all-time high of 1,000 daily deliveries during the ongoing second wave of COVID-19.⁣ ⁣ More and more individuals and businesses are using the app to send parcels across the country. ONZ has over 200 runners capable for fulfilling orders 24 hours a day.⁣ ⁣ The ONZ app enables users to order for a parcel to be picked up and dropped off, while businesses are using the app to send products to consumers. ⁣ ⁣ Shoppers who are ordering through @firstemporium and @netcombrunei's hotlines for example, will have their orders fulfilled by ONZ.⁣ ⁣ The app currently has over 10,000 downloads and over 7,000 active users.⁣

After the outbreak of COVID-19 in March last year, we spoke to @ponidivers to ask how a tourist-reliant business, who lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in bookings, managed to stay afloat after the first wave of the pandemic. Poni began as a dive club ten years ago and has grown into Brunei's diving leader, though the industry itself is still in its early stages. For their resilience, Poni earned an ASEAN Business Award last year, and last month, were named as one of Asia's most promising SMEs by ACES. Although Poni Divers has closed during the second wave, the founders promise a return to full form when the pandemic subsides. For now, check out their entrepreneurial journey that we've produced in collaboration with their talented videographers.

Brunei’s ASEAN Business Advisory Council (@aseanbacbrunei) - the country’s private sector representative to ASEAN - will be organising the ASEAN Business Awards virtually on November 10 in conjunction with the Sultanate's ASEAN chairmanship.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Brunei businesses can apply for the awards in eight categories through aseanbacbrunei.com until September 30, with the exception of the Inclusive Business Award which must be applied directly to @darussalamenterprise by September 13 through dare.gov.bn/asean-iba⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ABA is organised annually and aims to showcase home-grown ASEAN companies that are globally competitive and as well as emerging SMEs that have the potential to breakthrough regionally and globally.⁣⁣ ⁣ Follow @aseanbis to stay up to date with ASEAN-related business events and opportunities this year.

[Produced June 2021] After four years of selling beauty products under @khaylazalzi_sparkle, sisters Rohana, Rohaya, Rozima and Rafizah successfully secured their first contract to collect recyclable waste from @bsp_company sites under @ministryofenergy.bn's i-Usahawan initiative.