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Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam Berhad (BIBD) recently was conferred as the winner of the Best Retail Bank in Brunei for the year 2012 during the 12th International Excellence in Retail Financial Services Award Ceremony which took place at the Westin Chosun in Seoul, Korea on March 21st, 2013, organised by The Asian Banker (TAB).

Present on hand to receive the momentous award on behalf of BIBD were Mr Imran Samee, Head of Consumer Banking, along with Hjh Nurul Akmar Binti Haji Mohd Jaafar, Deputy Head of Consumer Banking, who is also Head of Corporate Social Responsibility. Mr Samee commented “This is a landmark milestone for BIBD, being the first Islamic Bank to win the Best Retail Banking honour in Brunei Darussalam, an achievement only equalled by the fact that BIBD’s presence has been strengthened amongst all the large multinational banks present in Brunei Darussalam”.

This recognition builds on the proven successes of earlier awards won in the year, namely winning the Islamic Finance News (IFN) “Structured Finance Deal of the Year 2012” for the Brunei Gas Carriers (BGC) Sdn Bhd US$170 million Islamic Financing Facility, IFN “Turkey Deal of the Year 2012” for the Republic of Turkey’s US$1.5 billion sovereign Sukuk, the “Tawarruq Deal of the Year 2012” for Al-Baraka Turk US$ 450 million Syndicated Financing and the IFN “Best Islamic Bank 2012” in Brunei Darussalam.

BIBD Ar-Rahnu also recently scooped the “Social Service Award” at the Asia-Pacific Enterprise Leadership Awards (APELA) 2013 held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Winning this award showcases as a great achievement and progress for BIBD and Islamic banking and finance, pushing it onto better heights, not only in Brunei Darussalam, but also regionally. BIBD managed to increase its market share in key retail product segments against a backdrop of industry requirements and competition certain retail while also successfully achieving growth in new businesses. This was achieved by the bank’s focus on core products such as home financing, home improvement financing, debit cards, process improvements, distribution and channel diversifications, and building an effective and a motivated direct sales team. Furthermore, BIBD has also made many significant improvements in terms of technology and channels, through the introduction of BIBD Mobile and BIBD Online, along with launching one of the most popular home financing products in Brunei – BIBD Rumah Plus.

Hjh Nurul Akmar Binti Haji Mohd Jaafar, Deputy Head of Consumer Banking, holding the award recently

BIBD’s Managing Director Javed Ahmad agreed, “Alhamdulilah, not just for BIBD, but also for the development of the Islamic banking industry as wining such a prestigious award shows great evolution, as it really sets aside what BIBD has achieved throughout the years.” He continued to comment that, “BIBD has had a very good 2012 and that InsyaAllah, 2013 will bring many more successes to come as BIBD comes off from strength to strength in further supporting not only its own ambitions, but also the ambitions of continuing the growth of Brunei Darussalam’s industries, a continuous commitment we strongly hold to help the country achieve its goal of achieving a developed nation status by 2035.”

The International Excellence in Retail Financial Services 2013 Awards ceremony was held in conjunction with the region’s most prestigious retail banking event, the Excellence in Retail Financial Services Convention.

About 150 senior bankers from award-winning banks in 29 countries across the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa attended the glittering event that recognised their efforts in bringing superior products and services to their customers. The awards programme, administered by TAB and refereed by prominent global bankers, consultants and academics, is the most prestigious of its kind.

A stringent three-month evaluation process based on a balanced and transparent scorecard used to determine the winners and the positions of various retail banks in the region is attached.

TAB is the region’s most authoritative provider of strategic business intelligence to the financial services community. The Singapore-based company has offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Shanghai as well as representatives in London, New York and San Francisco. It has a business model that revolves around three core business lines: publications, research services and forums. Press release courtesy of BIBD.

 

Capture your best photo to win a Canon digital camera. From 19 March – 30 April 2013

How to participate

1. Flash your best smile with HSBC Red Frame located at the Mall 1st floor (in front of Tan KokTong and Bright World Optics).
2. Send your photo to hsbcmarketingbsb@hsbc.com.bn with your name and contact number by 30th April 2013

The best 3 pictures will each receive a brand new Canon digital camera. Log on to www.hsbc.com.bn to find out more

Students from various secondary schools flocked to the two-day Oil and Gas Career Roadshow at Chancellor Hall of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) yesterday.

Students who came on the first day of the exhibition among others were from the Pengiran Anak Puteri Hjh Masna Secondary School, PIHM Serasa Secondary School, Berakas Secondary School, Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan Raja Isteri and Sayyidina Abu Bakar Secondary School.

During the programme, which was organised by the Energy Department at the Prime Minister’s Office (EDPMO), the students received an insight into the oil and gas industry from various exhibitors.

Among other exhibitors participating in the event are Brunei LNG, Brunei Methanol Company Sdn Bhd, Brunei Gas Carriers Sdn Bhd, BSP Marine Department, Jefri Bolkiah Engineering College and Brunei Maritime Academy.

Syazana Al-Shokry, head of Career Unit at Lambak Kiri Secondary School said that she came to the event with 46 Year Nine students from the school’s Science Classes.

“I think this roadshow is to encourage them (students) to open their mind to the career opportunity of what they can do,” said Syazana, adding that the oil and gas sector can be an open option for the student’s career.

Meanwhile, Norelizawati Hj Mohd Yaakub, recruitment and learning executive of Brunei Gas Carriers Sdn Bhd (BGC) expressed hoped that more students who have completed their ‘A’ levels and ‘O’ levels students or those who have earned their Higher National Diploma in Marine Engineering or Mechanical Engineering at the Institut Teknologi Brunei would apply to its cadetship programme which will begin in August or September this year.

Norelizawati said BGC is looking at 14 deck officers and 10 marine engineers. Text courtesy of Sally Pri of The Brunei Times.

 

Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam Berhad (BIBD), in its continous efforts to educate and raise financial awareness to the public, conducted a Financial Literacy and Planning Talk, via their Wealth ManagementUnit (WMU).

The talk was delivered by BIBD’s own Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and qualified Islamic Financial Planner (IFP), WMU Manager, Hjh Isnora Minudin, to some 60 staff from the Youth and Sports Department of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, held at the Dewan Citra Budaya,J alan Kebangsaan. Hjh Isnora started her presentation with the introduction of what financial planning is, which in brief, is the process of creating strategies to help individual to best meet their life goals, through proper financial management. The strategies include accumulation (by earning), allocation (by saving and budgeting), protection (takaful/insurance) and growing (investing) one’s funds.

She further explained on the importance of financial planning especially in preparation of any unforeseen circumstances that require financial support. She shared a few tips on how to do smart and prudent spending within one’s means without burdening him/herself or others. As a qualified Islamic Financial Planner, Hjh Isnora also shared what financial planning from an Islamic perspective is such as the purification of wealth which is Zakat and estate/wakaf planning.

Through this initiative, it is hoped that the public is informed of the proper processes and steps for financial management which would help them materialise their dreams such as planning for their children’s education, purchasing their dream home, or preparing for retirement, just to name a few. Members of the public who wish to have the Financial Planning talk may contact BIBDCall Centre at 2238181 or email at wmu@bibd.com.bn. Press release from BIBD.

 

Wu Chun with the participants and the organisers of the KFC FZ 3-on-3 Streetball Challenge at the Airport Mall. Click image to enlarge.

The KFC Fitness Zone Ultimate Gaming Competition comes to an end on Sunday afternoon, 24th March with Crimsom Coup winning the League Of Legends Competition for the PC category and Mohd Elmi Shahri Hj Osman winning the FiFa 13 Competition of the PS3 category. Crimson Coup walked away with prizes worth B$850 comprising of Steel Series Siberia V2 Headset and Mohd Elmi walk away with prizes worth B$350 comprising of B$100 cash and B$250 worth of Mobile One cash voucher.

Team Lezor Alliance and Team Ora Ora came in 2nd and 3rd for the League Of Legends Competition while Md Saifuddin Hj Serbini and Muhd Nuralif Suhaimi came in 2nd and 3rd respectively for the FiFa 13 competition. 4th place goes to Ahmad Tamimi Hj Awg Tuah. Presence to award the prizes is Yong of Mobile One for the PS3 category and Jonathan Bong of KFC for the PC category.

The end of the Ultimate Gaming Competition was followed by the Opening Ceremony of the KFC Fitness Zone 3 On 3 Streetball Challenge Season 1, 2013 later that night. In his opening speech, Jonathan Bong took the opportunity to thank all the players during the team lineup on behalf of KFC, Fitness Zone and the event organizers Good Game and Trinity.

This season sees a different tournament from last year’s, all the matches will be playing at Airport Mall in the next seven days and there are other mini side activities that players can partake while waiting for their next matches. Presence to officiate the event is Mr Khoo Eng Cheong, Vice Chairman of the Brunei Basketball Association, followed by the first match between KFC Double Down and SS Guys. Wu Chun himself also made a special appearance before flying out of Brunei the next day.

The KFC Fitness Zone 3 On 3 Streetball Challenge is currently taking place at the Airport Mall until 31st March 2013 and the public is welcome to watch. Images taken from KFC Fitness 3-on-3 Streetball Challenge facebook page.

Wu Chun officially launched the 3-on-3 tournament

It’s game time!!!

The winners of League of Legends

Saifuddin came close to winning Fifa tournament but settled for 2nd place

The top three winners of the Fifa tournament

I assumed Wu Chun left the country to promote their latest film – Saving General Yang.. Can’t wait to catch this. Saw this poster in Singapore last week.

 

Unveiling Peugeot 208 tomorrow

After the successful launch of their new Peugeot 408, T.C.Y. Motors Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of Peugeot automobiles in Brunei Darussalam, is taking the chance to launch once again another highly anticipated B-segment super mini, producing over 300,000 units after its production debut last year.

Taking the top position in the B segment and winning various awards from Europe such as ‘Best Supermini’ Class award from Auto Express UK, ‘Best Car of the Year 2013’ in Spain, and ‘Auto Europa 2013’ prize from Italy, it has not slowed down in wow-ing fans and customers alike all over the world including South East Asia as it will make its launching debut in Brunei next week.

The exterior is sculpted to give the car a dynamic look, and the floating front grille, signature LED lighting and boomerang-shaped rear lights all work together to give this super mini an unmistakable presence.

The 208’s highly optimised architecture achieves the amazing feat of being compact while increasing spaciousness, with room for the rear and a larger boot. The Cielo roof with ambient lighting (optional) enhances this spacious feeling and fills the interior with light and gives you great visibility.

The 4-cylinder inline engine represents real progress in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, while offering a good level of performance. The level of safety and comfort have been significantly increased, as proven by its 5 star Euro NCAP award, standard leather seats and excellent road-holding capabilities. A multi-function colour touchscreen comes and gives you finger-tip control of the radio, CD player and hands-free Bluetooth set.

Running at a maximum power of 120ps @ 6,000 rpm and max torque of 160Nm @ 4,250 rpm, this 1.6 litre gasoline fuel injection engine VTi won’t disappoint if you’re looking for a trendy, sporty, chic driving pleasure. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) along with the ABS, EBD and EBA also comes as standard.

To create further excitement and buzz on the 208 launch, T.C.Y. Motors will be holding a daily ‘Like, Answer & Win’ contest on their Facebook page, facebook.com/PeugeotBrunei starting from 25th to 28th March 2013 where 2 lucky winners of the day can win a Limited Edition 208 Macaron, created by MADbites Café. A lucky draw for an Apple iPad will also be up for grabs on the 29th March 2013, as it will be launching this highly anticipated model into the B-segment market.

There will also be a dancing competition in conjunction of the launching as well as introducing their next 208 model line up which is the 5-door variant in the second quarter of the year.

You can drop by their Peugeot Kiarong Showroom or call 2426969 for further details. You can also follow Peugeot Brunei on Instagram at @PeugeotBrunei.

Click image to check out Peugeot Brunei Facebook page

The front view of Peugeot 208

The rear view of Peugeot 208

 

Garage Sale this Sunday 😀