SEVERAL small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have expressed interest in providing services for the Brunei International Defence Exhibition (BRIDEX) 2009.

The fair's organiser, the semi-government firm Royal Brunei Technical Services (RBTS), yesterday held a seminar identifying business opportunities in operating and providing spin-off services during the event.

RBTS Chief Executive Lt Col (Rtd) Amir Hamzah Hanafi said these spin-off services include catering, lighting, cleaning services, providing transportation for delegates and the public, tents and air conditioning units as well as freight forwarding services.

Cityneon Brunei Display and Construction Managing Director Ting Jack Chai said his firm was keen to provide its services in terms of booth construction and setting up advertisements, among others.

The firm, which specialises in events management, exhibitions and conferences, also offers a computerised registration system for visitors during the exhibition.

"We will help with what we can to work together with RBTS to make BRIDEX 2009 a success," said Ting.

Another company, IBZ Advertising, is interested in providing services in terms of putting up signages, billboards and banners as well as creating the booths for the exhibitions.

Another SME, Syarikat Rapiah, is keen to provide transport such as buggies, souvenirs and several other items during the Bridex 2009.

Local security and safety solutions provider EDS Mobility Technology is also in talks with RBTS on providing security services throughout the four-day event, which will be held at a new purpose-built exhibition centre in Jerudong.

About 5,000 to 10,000 trade visitors are expected to visit the BRIDEX 2009. The number is expected to triple when the exhibition is opened to the public during the last two days of the exhibitions, according to the RBTS chief executive.

Next year's BRIDEX will have double the number of exhibitors from last year's 108 to 250. Yesterday's seminar was held at the Chancellor Hall, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

RBTS is the only semi-government firm in the sultanate authorised to provide procurement services in military equipment. Having been a full-time procurement agency since its early days, RBTS now wants to build local capabilities in the defence industry.

The firm is planning to produce and manufacture halal military food products.

It is also looking at the possibility of making locally-made and assembled ammunition.

Source: Brunei Times