Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) launched its Ramadhan Eco-Bazaar at BIBD Connects, Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas yesterday, promoting a first-of-its-kind go cashless and no plastic bag market place. The bazaar will be held until April 7.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah as the BIBD Chairman and Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman officiated the launch.
BIBD Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Junaidi bin Haji Masri was also in attendance.
The bazaar is supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Brunei Darussalam National Council on Climate Change, Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe) under the Ministry of Development, non-governmental organisation Zero Waste and BioField. It is aimed at creating a place for local businesses to showcase and grow their brands.
Through this initiative, BIBD aims to foster community participation, strengthen the national economy and promote sustainable practices.
Aligned with Brunei’s vision for sustainability, the bazaar encourages cashless transactions and reusable items such as tumblers, tupperware and shopping bags. It supports JASTRe’s No Plastic Bag Everday initiative and Zero Waste (SDG 12) under the Brunei Climate Change Secretariat’s mandate, showcasing BIBD’s commitment to environmental stewardship and digital innovation.
Meanwhile, the bazaar attracted 36 vendors, one of them being Snackflix’s Syahriah binti Zaini. Her business is well known for its jagus berempah.
She said, “Promoting cashless payments at the bazaar is a great idea. Going cashless is convenient, easy to manage and allows us to record each transaction without needing cash on hand.”
The Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali alumni shared Snackflix was established in 2017, and has been doing well.
Siti Hawa’s Hadiyun binti Zul Iskandar shared, “We welcome BIBD’s effort to promote cashless payments. I think the public’s acceptance of going cashless is split 50-50.”
“I feel the younger generation is keen using cashless payment while the older generation might not. We can teach and promote it to the older generation, while highlighting its benefit and convenience,” she added.
Asked if she frequently goes cashless, Hadiyun agreed saying she does not like to queue at the ATM, nor carrying a lot of cash in her purse. – James Kon
