(Bandar Seri Begawan, 8th) Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Dato Seri Haji Abdul Manaf, stated yesterday at the 21st National Assembly's second session that while Brunei certainly has the potential to develop its own unique coffee flavors, the main limitation lies in the scarcity of local coffee farmers—with only one active coffee farmer in the country, Labi Coffee. Although existing local cafes have developed their own coffee blends, their beans are all sourced from overseas.
This issue was raised by Member of Parliament Chong Ching Yee. In response, the Minister noted that the Ministry of Tourism has already started promoting Brunei's coffee culture. For example, last July they launched the "Brunei Coffee Trail," connecting over a hundred local coffee shops ranging from pop-up stalls to modern cafes and covering specialty coffee and professional barista experiences, offering unique tourism choices for both local and international visitors.
In terms of international promotion, the "Brunei Coffee Trail" held a mini exhibition in Miri, Sarawak this February, and will showcase in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah at the end of this month. The aim is to increase the visibility of Brunei's coffee and strengthen the country's position in the regional agrotourism and culinary tourism sectors.
The Minister emphasized that the Labi area has the potential to develop coffee-themed agrotourism, offering visitors an all-in-one experience from planting and harvesting to coffee bean processing, attracting travelers interested in authentic tastes and community culture. Efforts are currently underway to steadily enhance hospitality capacity, including workforce training and the development of café facilities.
He stated that although this initiative is still in its early stages, it aligns with the strategy of making Brunei a destination for "authentic and high-quality" culinary and agrotourism. It will also help drive local economic development, enhance public recognition of locally produced coffee, and achieve greater exposure for it in the regional market.
In terms of international promotion, the "Brunei Coffee Trail" held a mini exhibition in Miri, Sarawak this February, and will showcase in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah at the end of this month. The aim is to increase the visibility of Brunei's coffee and strengthen the country's position in the regional agrotourism and culinary tourism sectors.
The Minister emphasized that the Labi area has the potential to develop coffee-themed agrotourism, offering visitors an all-in-one experience from planting and harvesting to coffee bean processing, attracting travelers interested in authentic tastes and community culture. Efforts are currently underway to steadily enhance hospitality capacity, including workforce training and the development of café facilities.
He stated that although this initiative is still in its early stages, it aligns with the strategy of making Brunei a destination for "authentic and high-quality" culinary and agrotourism. It will also help drive local economic development, enhance public recognition of locally produced coffee, and achieve greater exposure for it in the regional market.