Azlan Othman
As the country ushers in 2022, the desire to return to stability and prosperity burns brighter than ever after a gloomy end to 2021.
Businesses and the public are looking forward to the new year with hope and eagerly looking for change and betterment. The previous year was wrought with COVID-19 causing considerable damage in terms of lives lost and a dwindling economy.
In an interview with the Bulletin, Deputy Secretary General of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei Darussalam (NCCIBD) Haji Halim bin Saim said, “With the whole-of-nation approach and towards a dynamic economic vision, we trust that the turn of the year, we shall Insya Allah overcome COVID-19.
“The public and private sectors should work together to ensure the economic synergy runs smoothly and meets Brunei Vision 2035. Perhaps a micro small and medium sized entreprenuers (MSMEs) centre can be built with proper management and supervision.
“Shophouses are mushrooming in the country. We must reinvent leadership skills and team as well as restructure business strategies to the new normal,” he added.
Meanwhile, K Goh from SONAX Brunei said, “I am looking forward to a bright new year ahead. We need to leave the past behind and have a better tomorrow.”
Eco Nadi Agrobiz Agroprenuer Haji Ayub bin Haji Suhaili said he will focus on online
business.
“The usual brick and mortar shops are having it tough in today’s world. I need to produce more agricultural products with a good technique and receive a grant to develop my agricultural business,” he said.
Haji Ayub added, “Nowadays, it is costly to bring in goods from overseas due to the pandemic. For example, red chilies are expensive locally due to restrictions in Malaysian states like Sabah. The price is determined by the market.”
A proprietor in a textile business told the Bulletin that business is slowly picking up during the Endemic Phase with parents purchasing fabric for their children’s school uniform.
“The same applies for stationery shops as parents are preparing for the new school term,” he said.
Meanwhile, entrepreneur Rina hopes that 2022 will be a better year for the business environment. “It’s been a tough year, but we made it through. Let’s welcome a better new year where the country is safe and continues to strive to recover from COVID-19.”
