By Ignatius Stephen

BRUNEI is to mass produce computers bearing the first ever locally registered brand name – Concepts Computer – to eventually enter the global market using Made in Brunei marks.

The local outfit, which operates from a shopping block in Gadong near the Brunei Capital, aims to produce 200 computers a month initially to satisfy local demand.

It will also provide jobs for the local school leavers and stem the flow of cash out of the country and eventually earn foreign currencies.

The firm, Concepts Commercial Suppliers, has at present 12 employees and 95 percent of them are local, a spokesman said.

“We plan to go eventually regional and then global. But we will first have to learn to crawl by taking care of the home market. Then we have to learn to walk and only then we will be able to run.” the spokesman, told the Bulletin.

At the moment, every branded computer sold in Brunei is imported. There are some locally assembled computers that do not carry a registered brand name. That will be the difference. Concepts Computers will have a brand name and the local manufacturers (assembled) will stand by it in giving full service and support.

And it will also mean made (assembled) in Brunei branded computers will be cheaper by 10 to 15 per cent, the spokesman said.

“There are so many globally branded names in Brunei, that is why we have decided to build a local brand name and eventually go regional and then global.” a Concepts spokesman said.

“Our workforce is mainly young ICT qualified young Bruneians and they have shown great dedication and skill.” the spokesman said.

The Concepts Computer Logo is being registered as a Trade Mark and all the company manufactured (assembled) computers will bear the trade name as a sign of quality and reliability.

The company has introduced three series of computers to cater to Brunei’s needs. The computers are powered by Intel Celeron, Intel Pentium III and the latest Pentium IV processors.

“During the BITEX 2001 exhibition, a new customer sector was add onto our customer list and they are the Cyber Café operators.” the spokesman said.

"For us to come this far is, in fact, no mean feat.” explained Mr. Wong Dong from the Technical Department.

Even though our Concepts PCs are not regionallly & globally-branded at this time, our ever-increasing customer base is testimony of its quality, stability and reliability which would bring our products into the regional & global market in the very near future. So, I believe it won’t take long to have our company’s vision realized,” he added. “