1,000 Bank Customers Attend HSBC’s Chinese New Year Fete
By Lyna Mohamad

Bandar Seri Begawan - Over 1,000 HSBC customers gathered at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Plenary Hall on Wednesday for the annual Chinese Spring Dinner.

The bank hosted the dinner as part of its traditional celebration of Chinese New Year.

On hand to welcome the guests on their arrival were several of the bank's senior managers, who were led by HSBC CEO Guy Priestly.

The dinner whose guest list included senior government officials, ambassadors and prominent corporate figures began with a spectacular Lion & Dragon Dance Performance staged by Chung Hwa Middle School students.

In his welcoming note, Mr Priestly said HSBC was honoured to host the spring dinner, which provides `The World's Local Bank' the opportunity to celebrate with its customers in a relaxed and warm atmosphere.

He noted the positive atmosphere that is traditionally associated with the `Rooster Year'- optimism, peace and compromise - and how such values are reflected in the bank's continuous endeavour to remain receptive to changes in its operations in Brunei Darussalam and globally.

He said that HSBC is also committed to excellence by continuing to invest in its employees' training and development - both locally and overseas - with such training and work attachment structures to ensure the staff will be conversant with business conditions and cultures in other markets, in addition to continuously building business networks.

Mr Priestly further added, "Language reflects culture, and the words one uses affect one's thoughts and behaviour.

I am often reminded that the Chinese character for `Challenge' is the same as that for `Opportunity.

"In the same way, whenever my colleagues and I discuss business and customers, I ask them to remember to use the words `partnership' and `long-term relationship.' In doing so, they reinforce two important elements of HSBC's core culture" he added.

Besides continuously supporting the initiatives of the Brunei government, Brunei Economic Development Board and Ministry of Finance, another area that HSBC is keen on playing a pivotal role in is the development of the SME sector.

The bank hopes to get more young people to consider career prospects particularly in entrepreneurship.

Said Mr Priestly, "We hope to encourage young Bruneians to see opportunity rather than risk; to realise that the great rewards come to those who work hard, are open to change and are not discouraged by an occasional failure."

The evening also saw the staging of a colourful Chinese dance, followed by performances rendered by three especially flown-in Malaysian artistes that included a former Miss Malaysia, and local talent Sri Nazrina.

Later, Mr Priestly led other HSBC senior managers in a `good luck' toast on stage.

The evening concluded with the arrival of the `Fu Lo So' who symbolised `good fortune and prosperity' for the Year of the Rooster. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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