Bringing the Best of Brunei to the Global Stage: Bruneian Businesses feature BRUNEIAN MADE Products at the 6th Kyoto International Gift Show 2025   

Introduction

Pursuing the goals of “Brunei Vision 2035”’ towards becoming a dynamic and sustainable economy by diversifying to non-oil and gas sectors, the ASEAN – Japan Centre (AJC) has taken a proactive step by initiating the organization of Brunei Darussalam Pavillion for the first time at the “6^th Kyoto International Gift Show 2025”, with the joint collaboration of Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) and the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Tokyo. This trade promotional activity is part of our AJC’s strong commitment to promoting and supporting Brunei’s products to access in the international markets like Japan.      

Objectives and Goals

Our mission was to bring five Brunei’s local companies to showcase their high-quality products at Brunei’s booth in the 6^th Kyoto International Gift Show 2025 for the first time, aimed at seeking market validation and exploring potential export opportunities. The five Brunei companies and one Japanese company using Brunei’s textiles to create handmade bags and others selected under AJC’s market guidance were, 

1. Borneo Candle Studio (candles, diffusers) 

2.   Tropique (chocolate) 

3. Artisan Abadi Sdn Bhd (glass-blown products) 

4.  Al Hayaah Enterprise (lace fabric, scarf)  

5.  Taurean Bakeshop and Café (cookies) 

6. Shinko (Takako Mutiara JAPAN)　      

The inaugural participation of Brunei businesses at the 6^th Kyoto International Gift Show is also a part of BEDB’s BRUNEIAN MADE initiative, which supports the development and growth of local products to reach international standards and be exported ready, and increasing greater access for distribution for micro and small local entrepreneurs to sell and reach a wider customer base. 

Activities and Highlights

The Kyoto International Gift Show has quickly established itself as a premier trade fair in Kansai region, encompassing a broad spectrum of general consumer goods, clothing, food, furnishings, and promotional gifts, serving as a vital meeting point for importers, retailers, and enthusiasts from around the globe. 

This year’s 6^th Kyoto International Gift Show ran from 12 to 13 March 2025 at Miyako Messe Exhibition Centre in Kyoto, attracting nearly 15,000 visitors for the 2-day event. 

As a first-time overseas exhibitor, our Brunei booth could successfully attract a high volume of visitors during the 2-day event, mostly from Kyoto and Osaka. Visitors felt that the Brunei booth was unusual and would like to explore more on what products this country can offer.    

Moreover, textiles, silk dyeing, and Kimono making companies in Kyoto also showed their interests in the scarf products from Brunei. They would like to directly get advices from Islamic people on how to adjust their products to attract more Islamic inbound tourists in Kyoto.    

Prior to the trade fair, Brunei exhibitors also had a good chance to see Kyoto Traditional Craftsmanship at “Kyoto Wisdom Industry Fair 2025 – Kyoto Style” booths and listen to a lecture on the market trend of the Japanese gift market, presented by Mr. Masatsugu KUNO, Managing Director, Showyou Co., Ltd. They learned that careful segmentation of target consumers; emphasis on brand storytelling; and adapting to digital trends, are keys to successfully penetrate the market. In addition, he also gave his advice on how to attract more visitors and buyers to visit our booth or product showcase. The important things to keep in mind are shape of product layout at the booth, space among products, and lighting.   

Key Takeaways

1. To promote Bruneian made products in the Japanese market, it is necessary to raise more awareness of this country among Japanese people at the same time. 

2. The best possible way to promote high quality products from Brunei in the Japanese market is to collaborate or co-create between the two nations to ensure future market engagements in a sustainable manner, such as using the raw materials of Brunei with high techniques or craftmanship of Japan. 

3. Promoting Brunei products should be mainly focused on high quality or uniqueness especially for high-end market in Japan      

Way Forward and Engagement

This initiative underlines the critical need for continuous follow-up action on the progress of further business negotiations between Brunei companies and potential Japanese buyers to ensure significant future engagements and actual business results. The AJC’s ultimate goal is to foster the business partnerships or co-creation between Brunei and Japanese companies in the sustainable manner.