Positive Attitude Crucial For Success
By P Marilyn

Bandar Seri Begawan - The most critical determinant for business success is having the right and positive attitude.

This was stated by guest of honour, Dato Paduka Awg Haji Hamdilah, Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, during the launch of "Baiduri SME Programme" yesterday at The Rizqun International Hotel.

A positive attitude is not something that can be gained quickly by attending training courses alone, he said adding that it took years of experience in operating businesses to gain such an attitude.

"Young entrepreneurs or those new in business need support in this area. That gap should be filled by business counselling as is done in many foreign countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and the US, and which Brunei is also attempting to do," the deputy minister said.

He added that the SME Programme by Baiduri Bank would aid SMEs in terms of additional access to valuable financialcapital and advice in meeting normal day-to-day business operations as well as future expansion plans of SMEs.

The continuing support of Baiduri Bank in the `Joint Asia Inc Partnership Programme for Nurturing Brunei SMEs', will provide opportunities for business networking and training of entrepreneurship and business skills, the deputy minister said.

He applauded Baiduri Bank for packaging the Baiduri SME Programme and delivering Good Corporate Citizenship by setting an example for others to follow.

"I hope that the bank's SME Programme will make life easier for Brunei SMEs as active participants in the industrialisation drive and for the future socio-economic prosperity of the country," he added.

Dato Paduka Awg Haji Hamdilah also spoke on important cost saving measures during normal operations.

He said there is no shortage of good ideas and helping hands in Brunei to contribute to the growth of SMEs, identifying important issues such as finding the right solutions to cater to specific needs and problems of SMEs.

"MIPR as the custodian of Brunei SMEs, realises that developing and nurturing SMEs to become competitive enterprises require enormous levels of support and commitment, not necessarily confined to MIPR. Currently, the ministry's support programmes can be grouped into seven areas, which are deemed vital for developing SMEs," he added.

The deputy minister said these include training to develop entrepreneurship, two financial assistance schemes, provision of technology, scientific and technical support services by various departments in different ministries, site development for production and industrial activities, product and trade promotion programme with a focus on export, investment incentives programme, information support services by various departments under BSME Net website as well as quality, standards and accreditation.

Speaking on the limited resources of the ministry in terms of manpower and budget, Dato Paduka Awg Haji Hamdilah said "There are gaps, but as always, MIPR is committed to improving its support services to facilitate the sustained growth of the private sector in the country."

He also touched on the roles played by leaders in business associations, chambers, banks, banking associations, hotel associations, travel associations, UBD and other institutes of learning in contributing to business counselling.

The deputy minister also announced that he would be available, once a month, every Saturday from Sam to 5pm at his office on the fifth floor of the MIPR building to support the need for SME Consultancy. He advised entrepreneurs to make full use of BINA in Beribi and the SME Centre in Sinaut as their `first stop', which can act as coordinators with the ministry.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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