Transforming the way Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises trade and grow
1993
Mr. and Mrs. Touma launched barter platform BBX (Business to Business Exchange) to address challenges faced by local businesses.
2010
BBX expanded throughout Australia, acquiring many competitors and entering new markets such as NZ, UK, India, Malaysia, and Singapore.
2017
Dr. Lee Oi Kum acquired the business and its trademark, establishing BBX Holdings (BBXH). The headquarters was moved to Singapore.
2021
Reworking of the business model began, with modernizing of the e-commerce platform, implementation of a new digital framework, and the adoption of a licensing structure.
2024
A dedicated C-suite team was established to lead the company and plot its expansion and growth in the South East Asia region in 2025.
The story of BBX is rooted in the entrepreneurial spirit and a vision of transforming the way micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) trade and grow.
It all began in 1993 when the late Mr. Michael Touma and Mrs. Mireille Touma embarked on a mission to support local businesses in Australia. Recognizing the challenges faced by MSMEs in generating the necessary cashflow to survive, the Touma family created a platform that allowed members to trade their excess goods and services with one another, utilizing their spare capacity and creating a vibrant ecosystem that fostered economic growth and cooperation.
With the development of online trading infrastructure, members were able to carry out transactions more efficiently and gained easier access to the growing international BBX network. BBX quickly gained traction, expanding throughout Australia, acquiring many of its competitors, and entering new overseas markets together with the help of local partners and advocates. Among them was Dr. Lee Oi Kum, a Singapore-based entrepreneur and philanthropist with extensive experience in the fintech and agritech sectors.
In 2017, Dr. Lee acquired the BBX brand from the Touma family after the passing of Mr. Touma. Under her leadership, renewed emphasis on technology solutions and business development – as well as greater oversight over regulation and governance – laid the groundwork for further global expansion. Together with the introduction of a franchising model aimed at replicating our MSME communities with the help of local licensees, BBX evolved into an innovative B2B trade platform and community builder.
Today, the BBX community consists of over 6,000 business owners across 8 countries – and we’re just getting started. We envision a global network of MSME communities that are empowered to create sustainable and equitable long-term growth, and a future where corporate success and global well-being are inextricably interlinked.