| Azlan Othman |
THE small but increasing number of young entrepreneurs in the Sultanate has shown that there is a growing interest in venturing out into productive economic activities among the youth.
This was stated by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a titah during the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah’s (Yayasan) Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas, yesterday.
To support this, government agencies have provided allocations and organised schemes and programmes for the nation’s budding entrepreneurs. The Ministry of Education (MoE) for instance, has included business literacy and entrepreneurship skills development programmes from the primary school level to higher education including at the technical and vocational levels, His Majesty said.
Among the government approach towards this includes the establishment of DARe (Darussalam Enterprise) on January 21, which is responsible to instil and supervise the growth and development of local entrepreneurship in the country, the monarch added.
DARe has also established a business support centre to assist in producing entrepreneurship that is conducive and can enhance the business ecosystem holistically. Thanks to the commitment of all, this has improved the country’s ranking in the 2016 World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report to the 84th place this year from 105th in 2015, among 189 global economies, His Majesty noted.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam; Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman during the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah’s (Yayasan) Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas
His Majesty delivering his titah. PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
“I urge all youth to be ready to develop themselves as they are the heirs with big responsibilities and roles to generate the development of the people, nation and the religion. Their young age is the best time to acquire as much knowledge and skills as possible to shoulder future responsibilities,” His Majesty said.
Speaking on this year’s celebration, the monarch welcomed youths especially young professionals and entrepreneurs that constitute nearly 50 per cent of the nation’s population.
“Through the national policy, my government gives a wider provision for all levels of the society to acquire high skills and education that the nation needs. It has been proven judging by the increasing number of locals that are holding main positions like in human resource management, finance, medical, engineering, education, legal profession, defence, information technology and so on.
“In the near future, we hope the young executives and professionals will take the country’s leadership. But they need to empower themselves with knowledge, skills and experience. These elements make them capable to face any challenges, be it economic, social and political that are complex,” the ruler said.
“At this juncture, I wish to welcome young entrepreneurs who answer the government’s call to engage in entrepreneurship to empower the country’s economy. I wish to express my thanks to the youths in the country for their involvement in all efforts and activities that bring benefits to the country,” His Majesty added.
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