SMEs Seek Government Support
By Shareen Han

Bandar Seri Begawan - Business leaders and entrepreneurs yesterday called for more action from the government to help the private sector, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in Brunei.

The managing director of Syabas Technologies,Sheikh Abas Sheikh Mohamad, cited red tape as a prevalent problem- in government agencies.

"Time is money to businesses, but it takes a long time for the government to make decisions regarding approval of tenders and to process applications," he said at the SME Business Forum organised by Asia Inc Forum.

"There must be a synergy among the private sector, government institutions and banks that provide the financial assistance to SMEs;" Sheikh Abas said.

Dr Habrizah Hussin from Universiti Brunei Darussalam said: "A concerted effort is required. The private sector and government agencies need to network and hold dialogues."

She also touched on the culture of enterprise among younger generations, adding that entrepreneurship was not an employment option for many.

"There is a small amount of people who want to become entrepreneurs, and most of the employment choices are only concentrated on working for the private and public sectors," she said.

By introducing more entrepreneurship schemes in schools, "we can resolve the only few job creators, but more job seekers problem" in Brunei, added Habrizah.

The President of the Women Business Council Major (R) Sopiah Husaini said businesswomen in Brunei needed more training and assistance.

"I have gone to Vietnam and- Nannirig (China). From what I've seen there, women in those countries are energetic and enthusiastic because they know that their governments are behind them."

Ignatius Stephen, the Business and Editorial Director of Brudirect.com, said the government should adopt an entrepreneurial spirit to set an example. Richard Eu, CEO of Eu Yan Sang International Ltd of Singapore, said he was not well informed about the economic sphere in Brunei. But he added: `It takes a great incentive for people to go out there and set up their business, but I can see the government is now trying to stimulate businesses at the grassroots level in Brunei."  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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