Brunei On Right Track For 'First World' Mentality
By Za'im Zaini & P Marilyn

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei has the basic ingredients for a 'First World' mentality and has already achieved this in certain sectors, said Deputy Minister of Industry and, Primary Resources, Dato Paduka Hj Hamdilah Hj Abd Wahab, in reference to a speech made by the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Tuesday.

In his speech the minister said for Brunei to join the developed nations and maintain that position, it would have to develop a `First World' mentality to be focused on and adhered to.

In response to whether Brunei possesses `First World' mentality, Dato Paduka Hj Hamdilah said, "Yes, but maybe not completely. We do have the basic ingredients and in selected areas, there are signs that we are there."

The deputy minister was speaking at the 2006 SME Business Forum held yesterday at Songket Ballrown, The Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong. He spoke on `Taking Brunei SMEs to the Next Level: What is the Role of Government?'.

The recent drive to market `Brunei Premium Halal Brand' as part of the US$150 billion global halal food industry is one of the tangible signs the country is embracing `First World' mentality, he said.

"I know, and we know in the ministry, we can (achieve this) because we have the distinct competitive edge of a credible halal brand, which when combined with quality Australian food products, will deliver a breakthrough in a global market that has yet to recognise the `Brunei Premium Halal Brand'," he added. However, in the long term, it is hoped that the halal brand will significantly contribute to the $4.5 billion gross output of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources by 2023, as projected by the minister.

Dato Paduka Hj Hamdilah also highlighted the nation's oil and gas industry as a world class act, an innovative pacesetter in many fields and a long established oil and gas exporter as well as Brunei's 20-year-old export garment industry, for which there has been progress in terms of handling stiff competition.

"If we look at the fundamentals, I believe Brunei Darussalam has what it takes. We have a First World GDP per capita, economic and political stability, a sizeable young, well-educated and internationally trained workforce, and lastly, His Majesty's government has built infrastructure and health care services that are comparable to any developed economy," he said.

The nation lives up to its name `The Abode of Peace' as a place of peace and tranquility with the UNDP Millennium Development Goals on par with the Top 30 in the world, he added.

Based on the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) to be launched next month, the tourism industry is estimated to be the second largest non-oil and gas contributor to the GDP by 2020.

However, the overall challenge of the nation's position in the First World lays in its ability to maintain its position 20 years from now. The role played by MIPR in this is to strive towards transforming Bruneians and the future of Brunei into one with flourishing business communities, entrepreneurs, producers and global players, the deputy minister said.

Also-speaking at the 2006 SME Business Forum was Deputy Managing Director of Brunei Shell Petroleum Co Sdn Bhd, Haji Zainal Abidin bin Haji Mohd Ali. He spoke on `Developing Brunei Business: The Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) way'.

His presentation focused on Local Business Development (LBD). The LBD's objectives are to facilitate the development of competencies, capabilities and competitiveness of local contractors; to support sustainable development by making local contractors more competitive, within and outside Brunei Darussalam; and to support the basic philosophy of the Brunei Darussalam Economic Council (BDEC) report.

It is in line with BSP's responsibility to society to promote the development of Bumiputera businesses, which is also in accordance with National Development Plan, and to encourage and nurture the development of 'Rakyat Melayu' as leaders of industry and commerce.

Haji Zainal said there was' much room for local business to come into, highlighting the growth of local contractors as an example. Spending for local business development in 1986 was $400 million, which jumped to $1 billion last year.

`There is a lot more coming in the future in terms of money to be spent and for local contractors to get hold of," he said, adding that the total percentage of Brunei contractors has increased by 40 per cent.

Meanwhile, in response to a question fielded during the open forum session regarding the tendering process and how both sides can learn from each other, Haji Zainal said the tendering speed and procedure was very transparent and had been shared with the Brunei government.

"They 'have come over and have held discussions with us of what we can learn from them and what they can learn from us," he said adding that it had been a successful discussion and hopefully there will be a lot of synergy coming out of it.

In the afternoon, a luncheon talk entitled `From Local to Global: The Eu Yan Sang Story', was presented by Mr Richard Eu, Group CEO of Eu Yan Sang International Ltd. This was followed by a talk on `Raising Finance for Small Business', delivered by Mr Pierre Imhof, General Manager of Baiduri Bank.

A dialogue session "What You Will Not Learn From Business Schools: Hands-on Business Advice from the Marketplace" was also held. The session was facilitated by Dato Paduka Timothy Ong, Acting Chairman of Brunei Economic Development Board.

Speakers for the session comprised SheikhAbas bin Sheikh Mohamad of Syabas Technologies, Mr Albert Tan of Great Future Sdn Bhd, Mr Ambrose Nathan of G4s Security Services, Mr Ang Swee Meng of Mach Communications, Ms Fauziah Dato Talib of IQ-Quest Sdn Bhd, Mr Ignatius Stephen of Brudirect.com, Mr Jack Ting of Cityneon Displays and Constructions Sdn Bhd, Haji Shazali bin Dato Hj Sulaiman of KPMG and Datin Hjh Zainah Bujang of Sheraton Utama Hotel

The event was organised by ASIA INC Forum and supported by the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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