James Kon
Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Haji Abdul Hamid @ Sabli bin Haji Arshad said there are ample opportunities for locals to venture into the field of entrepreneurship.
“However, maybe there is a lack of interest from locals while the attitude of looking for an easy path by providing the opportunity to foreign entrepreneurs to make use of the local business licence led to the opportunities being grabbed by foreign entrepreneurs,” he said.
Yang Berhormat Haji Abdul Hamid @ Sabli, who is also the Brunei Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DPPMB) President, made these comments as the guest of honour at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DPPMBand LiveWIRE Brunei at Parkview Hotel yesterday.
He said, “Government agencies carried out a number of measures in addressing and reducing unemployment by providing opportunities to local businesses. Efforts are also already in place and will be carried out by Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP), banks and other companies through their programmes.
“It is hoped that more companies will also support the entrepreneurship development programmes and provide jobs to locals while they obtain knowledge by participating in business courses. Age is not an obstacle. What is most important are the will and want to succeed. ”
On the signing that can leverage on each other’s strength, the LegCo member said, “DPPMB and LiveWIRE Brunei have the same mission and vision of developing local entrepreneurship skills.
“DPPMB and LiveWIRE Brunei have their own programmes. DPPMB lacks hard and soft skills while LiveWIRE Brunei has advantages on both skills.
“DPPMB has many experienced and skilled members who can share or mentor in entrepreneurship development.
“The signing of the MoU cemented the cooperation between DPPMB and LiveWIRE Brunei to work together in providing leadership, guidance and support to the programmes of both organisations to achieve success on two aspects – programmes that have an impact to employment and in the field of entrepreneurship.”
The MoU signing is also in line with the strategic plan portfolio 2020 objectives of strengthening Malay businesses and employers to lead the country’s economic development to achieve Brunei Vision 2035.
The aim of the MoU signing is to officially cement cooperation between DPPMB and LiveWIRE Brunei. DPPMB and LiveWIRE Brunei are already helping Malay businessmen and youth by hosting the entrepreneurship workshops.
The workshops aim to raise skills, knowledge and strengthen business plans to become sustainable and dynamic.
DPPMB was represented by its Secretary General Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Sirat while representing BSP was its In-Country Value Manager Hajah Rosita binti Haji Hassan who is also LiveWIRE Brunei chairperson. The event was witnessed by Yang Berhormat Haji Abdul Hamid @ Sabli.