| Wani Roslan |
THE first duty-free shop in the country was officially launched at the Satellite Area of the Brunei International Airport (BIA) yesterday.
The venture, an ambitious initiative to promote tourism in Brunei, was launched by Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong; Minister of Finance II Dato Seri Paduka Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah and Minister of Communications Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof.
Korea-based Shinwoo Group SBC Duty Free Shop is operating the shop.
Welcoming the setting up of the duty-free shop, the Tourism Development Department under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism said it will further boost the shopping experience of passengers at the Brunei International Airport. The Royal Customs and Excise Department, Ministry of Finance, the regulator of import and export of goods in Brunei Darussalam has also supported the opening of the shop by reviewing its duty policies.
In an interview, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism said that the duty-free shop will act as a major platform to attract tourists into the country.
The minister shared that Shinwoo Group has invested about BND5 million to operate the shop where 20 locals have been recruited to work in shifts from 6am to 9pm.
In 2017, the Brunei International Airport recorded an arrival of 244,278 transit passengers and the number of tourist arrivals to Brunei has increased by 18.3 per cent. The Department of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Communications is continuously improving the services for passengers.
Furthermore, to enhance tourism in the country, the Brunei Economic Development Board continues to promote Brunei as a preferred destination for investors.
The successful opening of the duty-free shop is expected to significantly contribute to creation of jobs for Bruneians as well as the retail sector of the economy.
SBC Duty-Free Shop is part of Korea-based Shinwoo Group which finds Brunei as an attractive country to invest due to its economic strength, political stability, good geographic location and clean and safe environment.
Apart from operating duty-free shops selling premium brand products such as watches, sunglasses and other designer collections, Shinwoo Group has interests in construction, trading and logistics.
Also in attendance at the launching event were Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications Haji Azhar bin Haji Ahmad; Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali; Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications Dr Haji Supry bin Haji Awang Ladi; CEO of Brunei Economic Development Board Soon Loo; Acting Director of Civil Aviation Haji Mohd Nazri bin Haji Mohd Yusof; Acting Controller of Royal Customs and Excise Department Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan; Acting Director of Tourism Development Salinah binti Haji Mohd Salleh; President of Shinwoo Group Choi Sang-kwon and Director of SBC Sdn Bhd Sung Weon-woo.