Businesswomen Seek Govt Help
By Sobrina Rosli

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei's Women's Business Council (WBC), a nongovernmental organisation working for women entrepreneurs, has sought the assistance of the government and established business houses for budding women entrepreneurs, who have the potential to contribute in country's diversification drive.

Sopiah Husaini, the president of WBC, said yesterday that "Most of our members consist of home-based and micro entrepreneurs as well as stall operators who have great potential but due to lack of financial support they are unable to capitalise and exploit their potential to the fullest."

"We want to provide a conducive platform to these entrepreneurs so that they could become a part of government's aspiration to diversify the nation's economy away from oil and gas," she added.

Sopiah went on to say that tourism was one sector where women entrepreneurs could contribute immensely and they should not be overlooked because with the proper training and opportunities they could prove to be an additional valuable asset to this industry.

She said women were involved in the dry food processing, biscuits, handicrafts and service businesses and many of them were running these businesses from their home which limits their potential.

"They need a proper venue and training to fully develop their capabilities," she added.

Sopiah said the members who run food processing businesses were still using manual means.

"With proper training support from the government, exposure to advanced technology and enhancement of their marketing and production skills, I am sure these women would emerge as a force to reckon with in the global market," she added.

Sopiah pointed out that the Ministry of Industry, Primary and Resources' Entrepreneurs Development Centre was still not utilised fully.

"We are in negotiations with the ministry to find out how through training and workshops, women entrepreneurs could be helped," she said.

Meanwhile, 20 members of the WBC have organised a threeday exhibition for showcasing their products.

The exhibition, held at the Muhibbah Hall of the BruneiMuara District Department, will run until February 7. "Through the exhibition, we want to give our members a platform to sell and market their products and negotiate deals successfully," she said.

The exhibition is also part of the organisation's recruitment drive.

"We want to call upon local women entrepreneurs to join us and use our platform to facilitate and promote their businesses," she added. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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