Challenges facing the business sector amid global geo-political and geo-economic crises, the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in realising Brunei Vision 2035 and the need for an inclusive policy were among the issues highlighted by experts at the Brunei Forum yesterday.
Director and senior assistant professor at Academy of Brunei Studies (APB), Universiti Brunei Darussalam Dr Haji Tassim bin Haji Abu Bakar in his closing speech highlighted the business environment in Brunei as keynote speakers discussed inflation and the supply chain that have impacted not only consumers but also businesses as well. The forum also saw international scholars sharing ideas during keynote sessions and parallel presentations.
The forum, which ran for two days carried the theme ‘Brunei Today and In the next 30 Years’.
Sixty papers with two keynote speeches were presented. The papers discussed Brunei affairs in the present day and in the future as well as efforts needed to be made by focusing on Brunei Vision 2035, national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), youth development, economy and entrepreneurship, leadership, health, culture, environment, and the NGOs.
Dr Haji Tassim believes the national vision helps NGOs to grow as it is now an important part of the development plan of the Sultanate.NGOs meanwhile voiced issues that need to be discussed such as environment and poverty.
Overall, the discussion focused on how to help the country overcome challenges as it heads towards achieving Brunei Vision 2035.
The papers, the keynote speeches and the discussions were some of the efforts among the scholars to make Brunei Darussalam an advanced country rooted in the philosophy of MIB recognised not only in the region but also on the international stage.
The organiser hoped that through discussions and the exchange of knowledge and ideas, the perspectives that surfaced at the forum will be used to draft plans and policies that contribute to the success of Brunei Vision 2035. The next Brunei Forum will be in 2026. – Azlan Othman
