BEDB announces The Launching of the LEAP Grant Program

Bandar Seri Begawan, 8 September 2012. The Brunei Economic Development Board (“BEDB”) is pleased to announce the launching of the LEAP (Local Enterprise Applications & Products) Grant Scheme for 2012. It is a program aimed at providing financial assistance to local SMEs, students and researchers to develop prototypes or pilot projects that have innovative technological content, commercial practicality and export potential in both ICT and non-ICT industries.To assist those eligible to prepare their grant applications, the BEDB in collaboration with Coaching Specialist ‘Money Tree’ will be conducting a LEAP Business Plan Workshop at the iCentre on Tuesday, 11th September 2012. More information about LEAP Grant Scheme will also be available during the workshop. Following this workshop, grant applicants approved by the LEAP Program Committee will be required to attend Financial and Intellectual Property (IP) Workshops to attain the necessary financial management skills as well as to develop an appreciation of IP and to manage it effectively for innovation and creativity to flourish. Registrations for those participating in the Workshop will commence at 8:00am on Tuesday, 11th September 2012 and the program will commence at 8.30 am. The Workshop is a full day event with lunch provided. For details on how to participate in the Workshop, please call Diana at 2230111 ext 146 or email to leap.program@bedb.com.bn stating your name, contact details and the name of your company/ organization. There is no registration fee for Brunei SMEs. Application form for the LEAP Grant Scheme is downloadable online at www.bedb.com.bn . The application is open from 15th August 2012 and all completed applications should be submitted no later than 3pm Monday, 8th October 2012 to: LEAP Secretariat The Brunei Economic Development Board Block 2K, Bangunan Kerajaan, Jalan Ong Sum Ping Bandar Seri Begawan, BA 1311 Negara Brunei Darussalam The LEAP Grant Scheme was introduced in August 2010 and to date almost B$2 million have been disbursed to 14 companies. One of the recipients under LEAP Grant Scheme, Syarikat Batik Desamas had its unique digital Batik Brunei designs have been featured on Korean stamps. Discover Brunei for the iPad by MeSixty Sdn Bhd is an official tourist guide for Tourism Brunei featuring social media integration is now available in the App Store. IKAN System by M& G Sustainable Aquaculture, a project to develop an urban fish farm to fit the budget of micro and small enterprise based on Re-cirulating Aquaculture System (RAS), has already received interests from Malaysia and Singapore. The BEDB is also pleased to note that most of the LEAP Grant recipients have already secured their first customer and some have also received international recognition for their products delivered under the LEAP Grant Scheme. <End of Press Release> Hj Ideris Hj Ali   Senior Business Development Manager   Local Enterprise Development The Brunei Economic Development Board Tel: +673 2230111 ext 182 / 8713170 Email: ideris.ali@bedb.com.bn Diana Ramli Assistant Manager Innovation and New Initiatives Division The Brunei Economic Development Board +673 2230111 ext 146 diana@bedb.com.bn