Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Local Entrepreneurs Share Their Experience In Training Programme
By Tony Alabastro

Bandar Seri Begawan - Local entrepreneurs shared their success stories during a graduation ceremony for Filipino overseas workers who completed a four-Sunday entrepreneurship training sponsored by the Philippine Embassy.

When Nazeer Ahmad of Nazmi Textile Mall came to Brunei 30 years ago, he carried only one bag. He tried his best, worked hard, and now, Nazmi is a leading brand name in the world of textiles in the sultanate, said Labour Attache Elizabeth O Recio.

Mr Stanley Lim Hock Ghim of Borneo United Enterprises Sdn Bhd had only 35 ringgit in his pocket when he came to Brunei from a neighbouring state. He strived hard, worked hard, and now he has 500 workers in the cleaning industry, said Dr Recio.

A third speaker, Dr Leigh Canton, lecturer at Laksamana Business College, gave an overview on globalisation, and the worldwide access to business information.

Off 55 participants, 37 received their certificates last Sunday at the Philippine Embassy Chancery. They submitted business plans like running a grocery store, Internet cafe, dressmaking shop and a kindergarten school.

The Philippine Embassy said it encourages the potential entrepreneurs to form "family circles" or cooperatives in their regions in the Philippines, which could access to business loan packages provided by the government.

Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Virginia H Benavidez said the course is a preparation for overseas Filipino workers (OFW) for their return or reentry to the Philippines as part of the integration

programme of the Philippine government. The course provided Filipino workers in Brunei background information on entrepreneurship, globalisation and business trends, and assistance to entrepreneurs by the Philippine government.

Charge d'Affaires at the Philippine Embassy Celeste Vinzons-Balatbat encouraged the participants to become overseas Filipino investors, create jobs and help build a better society back in the Philippines.

Other speakers included Marina Radovan, ISS Facility Services Finance Manager, who talked on human resource management; Emerlito Dela Cruz of Million Goldsmith and Jewellery who spoke on sales and marketing; Dan Roxas, president of the Filipino Association in Brunei, who lectured on accounting for non-accountants. Welfare Officer Norlita P Lugtu talked on the reintegration programme and Dr Recio spoke on entrepreneurship concepts, theories and principles; getting started tips and step-by-step procedures in going to business; marketing and management tools; business ethics; values and responsibilities.

The entrepreneurship training is the Philippine Embassy's third lecture this year, after the basic orientation course on Brunei labour and immigration laws, Royal Brunei Police services, Brunei health screening programme, training on fire prevention and rescue tips.

The programme is aimed to help participants upgrade their entrepreneurial skills for local operations, promote opportunities for training/retraining and to generate chances for employment in the Philippines or overseas. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin