Over 500 youths attended the 8th edition of the Youth Town Hall at The Prime Minister’s Office, co-organised by the Young Professionals Network (YPN) Brunei and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, with support from the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
Launched in 2020 in conjunction with National Youth Day, the Youth Town Hall Brunei serves as a platform to foster a solution-driven, forward-thinking, and collaborative youth community. It provides young people with the opportunity to engage constructively with Ministers and senior officials, contributing to national development.
The 8th edition, themed “Youth in Action: Powering Brunei’s Economic Future”, began with opening remarks by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, followed by a dialogue moderated by Dr. Muhammad Nuriskandar bin Mohd Hasnan.
In his opening address, Yang Berhormat Minister highlighted:
“Brunei Darussalam has entered a phase where economic diversification is no longer just a policy direction; it is a national responsibility that requires participation from every generation. Youth participation, although still at an early stage, is a promising indicator that Brunei’s youth are becoming more aware of opportunities within the primary resources sector — opportunities not only to earn income, but also to contribute to food security, strengthen halal agri-food exports, and support national economic diversification.”
During the two-hour session, participants raised over 14 questions covering topics such as policies to protect local products and farmers, support for endangered craftsmanship, benefits for local farmers from Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), and funding and support for grassroots communities.
Yang Berhormat Minister reminded the youth that qualifications should not be a barrier to pursuing agriculture. He emphasised that despite potential skill mismatches, young people can enter the agriculture sector with curiosity, as it remains one of the most adaptable industries in Brunei, offering opportunities for food processing, employment, and revenue generation.
Responding to questions on government support for farmers, the Minister shared various initiatives, including platforms for cost-efficient sales, training programs, and in-situ support systems. These initiatives aim to bolster local food processing and entrepreneurship, ultimately creating employment and generating revenue for Brunei’s local economy.
On tourism, Yang Berhormat Minister noted that Brunei is positioning itself in the global travel market, aiming to generate around BND 1.1 billion in tourism revenue by 2035.
The Youth Town Hall Brunei continues to be a collaborative initiative between YPN and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, designed to equip youth with the knowledge, tools, and empowerment needed to contribute proactively, innovatively, and dynamically to Brunei’s economic and social growth. The 8th edition was supported by Prysm Agency and Beverages by Wafi.
Since its inception, the Youth Town Hall Brunei has engaged 12 Ministers and over 4,000 youth across eight sessions.
Reflecting on the event, Mohammad Ashmeer Imtiaz Ahmad, Project Lead for Youth Town Hall and Co-Founder of YPN BN, said:
“While Brunei is blessed with abundant natural resources like oil and gas, fisheries, and forests, it is time we shine the spotlight on another critical resource: our young people. Bruneian youth are already breaking barriers, innovating in sectors such as smart farming, aquaculture, eco-tourism, and the creative economy. Now is the moment to elevate their role in building a sustainable and dynamic economic future.”
“We are pleased with the turnout of today’s Youth Town Hall Brunei and look forward to continuing the discussion, especially with Wawasan 2035 less than a decade away. Our vision cannot be realised without the meaningful participation of youth, alongside government, private, and civil society sectors,” he concluded
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
