| Hakim Hayat |
LOCAL enterprises should leverage on new technologies, automation and innovation and through research, education or training to increase productivity levels and contribute to the steady growth of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the long run, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism said during a special lecture at Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) yesterday.
At the special lecture yesterday on the country’s philosophy Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) that focussed on the topic of the contribution of entrepreneurship in the country’s GDP to achieve the country’s Vision 2035, the minister said by leveraging on new technologies and innovative ways, the output of local companies can be increased, without adding more human capital or the use of land and capital.
The minister also highlighted the government’s active efforts in encouraging entrepreneurship development among the youth by providing training and support and stressed the importance of youth playing their part in contributing to the country’s GDP growth.
He also said that despite achieving economic prosperity and being a country with one of the highest living standards in the region since attaining independence in 1984, Bruneians should not be complacent and should strive harder so that we can compete with other developed countries.
“The prosperity long enjoyed by citizens and residents of the country must be sustained and efforts must be tripled so that our economy that is still strongly dependent on the oil and gas industry can be diversified,” he said, adding that sectors such as trade, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, domestic and personal services are some of the sectors that can contribute to the economy.
During the lecture, the minister also urged UNISSA students to be bold in venturing into small and medium enterprises and told them to not easily give up and lose hope. He also hopes to see UNISSA generate graduates who are independent and self-sufficient, as encouraged in Islam and not depending fully on the government, especially in employment opportunities.
The special lecture, hosted by the Centre for Knowledge and Language Promotion (PPIB) of UNISSA is part of the university’s scholarly activity for its MIB course for the academic year 2018.
UNISSA in a press release said that the MIB course is a compulsory module for first year students in the university.
The course is hoped to infuse in students a better understanding of the MIB concept as a way of life, especially in facing the tide of modernisation and globalisation.
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