FEATURES | Bridging ASEAN through digital empowerment
“Over the past few years, we have witnessed a steady rise and emergence of new generations and a growing formation of new networks of women entrepreneurs in Brunei Darussalam,” said Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) Enterprise Development Director Norlela binti Suhailee.
She emphasised this sentiment at the country launch of the Enhancing Digital Economy Participation for ASEAN Women MSMEs (IDEAS) project, highlighting that these women entrepreneurs have embarked on a transformative journey marked by increased creativity, innovation, added value, and enhanced credibility.
Their eagerness to advance entrepreneurship to new heights is evident in their steadfast growth and emergence within the sector.
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The landscape for women’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in ASEAN and beyond is poised for transformation following the official launch of the IDEAS project.
Spearheaded by the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) and implemented by the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on MSMEs (ACCMSME), IDEAS is a pivotal initiative under the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2016-2025 (SAP SMED 2025).
In collaboration with the Asia Pacific Women’s Information Network Centre (APWINC) of Sookmyung Women’s University, South Korea, IDEAS aims to empower and elevate women entrepreneurs by leveraging digital platforms and strategic partnerships.
At a crucial juncture for Brunei Darussalam, the IDEAS project arrives at a pivotal moment, remarked Norlela, as there is a pressing need to invest in and prioritise initiatives that foster new forms of entrepreneurship, enabling our women entrepreneurs to capitalise on the digital landscape, overcome obstacles, and flourish in their entrepreneurial pursuits.
It was underscored that in today’s interconnected world, entrepreneurs seek innovative ways to harness technology for business growth and efficiency.
Notably, women entrepreneurs are increasingly leveraging digital tools to seize fresh opportunities and enhance their development, all while managing household responsibilities effectively.
BUILDING CAPACITY
The Director highlighted ongoing national efforts to empower and nurture Brunei’s women entrepreneurs, underscoring the country’s steadfast commitment to creating a supportive environment for their advancement.
“We have witnessed extensive support given to our women entrepreneurs throughout their entrepreneurial journey in various forms,” she emphasised.
“The BEDB, through DARe, plays a crucial role in facilitating and encouraging the growth of our women entrepreneurs, and it is encouraging to see that there has been quite a number of successful initiatives resulting from our collaboration with key stakeholders.”
The IDEAS project, an ASEAN-ROK Cooperation initiative approved for implementation by ACCMSME in late 2021 and launched in January 2022, aims to enhance opportunities for women entrepreneurs to actively engage in the ASEAN economy.
This initiative focuses on enhancing their capacity in utilising ICTs and online business platforms through training and access to information, while fostering connectivity among ASEAN member states (AMS) and between AMS and Korea.
Backed by over USD5.6 million from the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF), the project is set to benefit over 4,000 women entrepreneurs across ASEAN.
Launched in January 2022, the IDEAS initiative runs until 2026, focusing on developing an e-business training toolkit for ASEAN Women MSMEs, cultivating e-business trainers, and providing capacity-building sessions. The project, a collaboration between ACCMSME and APWINC of Sookmyung University, South Korea, emphasises synergy and partnership. It aims to integrate women MSMEs into economic activities by fostering a supportive environment through various development programmes.
This enables women entrepreneurs to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, grow their businesses, and enhance their impact on the economic landscape.
“With the implementation of this project, I hope to see an encouraging participation of Brunei women entrepreneurs in gaining new knowledge and skill, and that it will bring transformative experience that helps to reshape and strengthen their approach to entrepreneurship,” added the director.
TAILORED TRAINING ACROSS ASEAN
The APWINC, part of Sookmyung Women’s University and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair organisation, spearheads the IDEAS project in collaboration with local partners across AMS.
Each partner tailors training programmes to local contexts to ensure relevance and applicability.
In Brunei Darussalam, the project is executed with Big BWN as the national implementation partner, aiming to train 242 beneficiaries across all four districts from June 9, 2024, to December 2025.
The initiative engages 14 local trainers to deliver comprehensive modules covering business model generation, customer development, fundraising, e-commerce, digital marketing, content development, privacy, cybersecurity, and women’s empowerment in the digital economy.
Sookmyung Women’s University, a pioneer in women’s education and UNESCO-designated for women’s information technology leadership in Asia-Pacific, underscores APWINC’s commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s digital skills regionally.
The AKCF, launched in 1990, supports this collaboration, facilitating over 456 projects across various sectors to strengthen ASEAN-ROK relations.
The ASEAN-ROK Programme Management Team (AKPMT) oversees AKCF activities, ensuring effective implementation and impactful outcomes for regional development and cooperation. – Adib Noor
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