By Rosli Abidin Yahya
The International Bazaar
provides a wider variety of products for consumers.
The devastating global outbreak of
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) may prove to be a small
consolation for local shops, as many people are now refraining
from travelling overseas.
This is evident at the
International Bazaar - currently held at the Persatuan Guru-Guru
Melayu Brunei (PGGMB) building in the capital - where thousands
of people flock to the fair in search of good bargains.
Organised by the Bandar Seri
Begawan Municipal Board, the bazaar is co-organised by HS and
Sons - the event manager. The event aims to collect donations
for the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund.
Held on both the ground and
first floor of the PGGMB building, the fair commenced April 3,
and will run until April 12.
A total of 52 booths display
numerous products, mostly from ASEAN countries as well as from
Pakistan and India.
The positive reception at the
event is good for local shops, as they had been facing stiff
competition from neighbouring countries.
The local population generally
prefers to shop in neighbouring countries, often creating a
beeline at the border towns especially after payday.
"I am glad that the bazaar
is well supported by the local population. This could be due to
the fact that people are comfortable shopping locally as there
is no outbreak of SARS here.
"They can confidently shop
here without risking their life," said a spokesperson of
the event manager.
The fair is also able to
attract a large crowd because of the wide variety of products it
offers.
One of the main reasons why
people prefer to do their shopping in neighbouring countries is
because they could get a wider variety of products. Based on
this observation, the event manager thus looked for traders
selling different kinds of items.
At the fair, products such as
textiles, clothes, watches, bags, wallets, food supplements,
shoes, precious stones, books, electrical products, assorted
women products and furniture are offered.
On the first floor, consumers
can also show-off their singing prowess as the event manager
allotted a space for budding singers to practice their vocals.
The spokesperson said lucky
draws would also be held within the next few days, allowing
shoppers to win amazing prices.
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