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DARe launches eighth cycle of Accelerate virtually

DARe (Darussalam Enterprise) launched the eighth cycle of Accelerate virtually yesterday with its new programme facilitator StartupX, an innovation, start-up, and venture enabler based in Singapore.

This year, 21 businesses were shortlisted to be a part of the programme – eight from the ICT industry; five from the manufacturing industry; five are providing services, while the other five are from the food and beverage industry.

The programme will see participants undergo 15 weeks of workshops and consultations on identifying market opportunities; building a team and setting targets before delving into marketing; developing a minimum viable product; mapping out financial projections and pitching.

Executive Officer Muhammad Saiful Azzam bin Haji Sarpudin said the first bootcamp was when it first started to help a number of start-ups scale rapidly.

“From there, we saw the potential of local start-ups expanding and catering to more industries.”

Meanwhile, StartupX Principal Consultant and Chief Operating Officer Raymond Doraisamy said, “We are incredibly honoured by the opportunity to work closely with DARe to grow the early-stage startup ecosystem in the Sultanate. We aim to drive a spirit and culture of innovation and enterprise among the locals through the Accelerate platform and beyond, bringing our decade of experience working with global startups to the local ecosystem. We look forward to bridging together the Singapore and Brunei ecosystems to create greater collaboration opportunities and market access for both sides.”

The Accelerate, one of two business bootcamps run by DARe, is a 100-day programme aimed at helping early-stage businesses grow by leveraging on technology, raising investment and building innovative business models.

The DARe business bootcamp programmes, which include Micro and Accelerate bootcamps, are designed to give participants a focus on start-up initiation and business development. The micro bootcamp assists individuals in starting their business journey, while the Accelerate bootcamp assists business growth.

DARe representatives and bootcamp participants. PHOTO: DARE

Businesses regaining footing in Sultanate

Businesses of all sizes reported general improvements in their business conditions in January 2022, compared to the previous month, due to increased activities with further COVID-19 de-escalation plans in the Early Endemic Phase.

Micro and small businesses recorded a Business Sentiment Index (BSI) of 50.1, while medium and large businesses recorded a BSI or 50.2.

The BSI and sub-indices can be interpreted as: above 50 – expansion/optimism compared to the previous month; 50 – no change compared to the previous month; and below 50 – contraction/less optimism compared to the previous month.

This was reflected in Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) publication yesterday of Brunei Darussalam’s BSI for the month of January 2022. The index is based on surveys conducted on over 550 micro, small, medium and large-sized businesses from 11 economic sectors in Brunei Darussalam, across all four districts.

The monthly index is designed to measure the level of business confidence or sentiment in the country and looks at current and future business conditions; current and future investments; current and future employment of workers; as well as current and future costs of running the businesses. The BSI serves as a leading macroeconomic indicator due to its forward-looking element.

Within the BSI, there are nine sub-indices. The Current Business Conditions sub-index, which is the main headline index for the BSI was 50.4 in January 2022. This was the fourth expansion observed across different sectors after the BSI recorded a contraction in September 2021.

More optimistic views were recorded in January 2022 as restrictions were eased with the commencement of the Early Endemic Phase on December 15, 2021. In general, businesses observed a rise in sales and activities with increased spending.

Among the comments from businesses on this increase include the bonus season; ability to operate back to normal hours; re-opening of schools; being awarded new projects; ability to hold more functions and events; as well as the Chinese New Year celebration.

The index for the one month ahead Business Conditions is recorded at 50.4 as businesses expect better business conditions in the near future should the COVID-19 situation in Brunei Darussalam improve.

The Investment sub-index was 49.9 for the current month, 50.5 for one month ahead and 50.3 for three months ahead. This indicates that although businesses generally invested less in January 2022 compared to December 2021, they are expecting to increase investment expenditures in coming months.

A few factors were cited for the increase, including opening of a new branch or outlet; purchase of machinery, equipment and materials for new projects; and to increase production capacity and to stock up more inventories for upcoming festive seasons such as Hari Raya where more sales will be expected.

The Employment sub-index was 50.1 for the current month and 50.1 for the month ahead, indicating that most businesses were hiring more employees in January 2022 with plans to continue to hire in February 2022.

Businesses, however, continued to highlight the challenges with COVID-19 restrictions including lengthy processes in hiring foreign workers to replace the workers who have returned to their home countries upon expiry of their contracts.

In general, businesses reported labour shortage and high turnover rate due to difficulties in hiring and retaining local workers. As such, some businesses have been actively hiring part-timers, especially to support the increased business activities in January 2022.

The Costs sub-index was 50.0 for the current month and 50.2 for the month ahead, indicating that businesses felt that the costs of running their businesses are about the same in January 2022 compared to December 2021, but expect operating costs to increase in February 2022.

Businesses expect further increases in operating costs in the near term due to higher prices charged by suppliers; rising material and shipment costs; and costs of hiring new workers, including agency fees for bringing in foreign workers.

In terms of economic sectors, optimism was recorded in seven out of the 11 sectors in January 2022, led by oil and gas related, finance and insurance, hotels and restaurants, and Health and education.

The Early Endemic Phase has allowed businesses to increase operations up to 75 per cent capacity. In January 2022, the transport and communication sector reported a small contraction, while the construction sector has remained pessimistic since August 2021 with a number of businesses reporting no new projects.

Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and livestock, and other private services sectors reported similar business conditions to December 2021, and are still facing similar challenges such as weather conditions, while in the latter sector, a number of businesses are reported to have ongoing contracts and projects.

The time-series charts for the BSI and its sub-indices since August 2020 can be found in Annex 1. For more information on BSI, the public can refer to the technical notes on the methodology and statistics in BDCB’s website at https://www.bdcb.gov.bn and follow updates on the BSI through future press releases and BDCB’s lnstagram account @centralbank.brunei.

UN to finalise science report on how warming hits home hard

BERLIN (AP) – Scientists and governments met yesterday to finalise a major United Nations (UN) report on how global warming disrupts people’s lives, their natural environment and the Earth itself. Don’t expect a flowery valentine to the planet: instead an activist group predicted “a nightmare painted in the dry language of science”.

The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a collection of hundreds of the world’s top scientists, issues three huge reports on climate change every five to seven years. The latest update, which won’t be finished until the end of February, will explain how climate change already affects humans and the planet, what to expect in the future, and the risks and benefits of adapting to a warmer world.

“We’re concerned that the physical climate around us is changing,” said panel co-chair South African environmental scientist Debra Roberts. “But for most people in their day-to-day lives… they want to know: so what? What does it mean for their lives, their aspirations, their jobs, their families, the places where they live.”

The report features seven regional chapters “about how physical changes in the climate change people’s lives”, she said. And she said it will have a strong emphasis on cities. Even without seeing the final report, activists call it a warning sign for the planet.

“The IPCC’s horrifying evidence of escalating climate impacts is set to show a nightmare painted in the dry language of science,” Head of climate justice issues at ActionAid InternationalTeresa Anderson said in a statement.

Scientists won’t yet say specifically what’s in the report because its critical summary is still subject to intense negotiation between the authors and governments over next two weeks, with consensus needed for the final version. Drafts that have circulated publicly will be changed, sometimes dramatically, before it is publicly released on February 28.

Floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina fill the streets near downtown New Orleans. PHOTO: AFP

UNISSA Open Day continues today

Azlan Othman

The Open Day at Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) continues at the UNISSA Auditorium today.

UNISSA Open Day paints a clearer picture of the study programmes available, provides detailed information on co-curricular activities, and allows visitors to interact directly with UNISSA academics.

For the 2022/2023 academic session, UNISSA is offering study programmes at the Diploma, Bachelor, Master and Doctor of Philosophy levels for various fields, including Usuluddin, Syariah and Law, Arabic Language, Islamic Economics and Finance, Islamic Development Management, Islamic Technology, Agriculture, Mazhab Shafi’i Research Centre and Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre.

The programmes appeal not only to applicants from the Sultanate, but also those from abroad. UNISSA’s qualification is recognised by international institutions of higher learning and has a comparable position. The Open Day is held in accordance with guidelines in place to prevent the COVID-19 spread. They include body temperature checks and, BruHealth QR code scan and performing an antigen rapid test (ART) before entering the hall.

The public and prospective students are welcome to attend the Open Day to explore the academic programmes offered.

A student and parent making enquiries at the UNISSA Open Day. PHOTO: AZLAN OTHMAN

Japan recovers second body from crashed F-15

TOKYO (AFP) – The Japanese military said yesterday it has recovered the body of the second crew member of a fighter jet that crashed two weeks ago.

The two-seater F-15 from the Japan Air Self-Defence Force crashed in waters off the central Ishikawa region during a training mission on January 31.

The body of the other pilot was recovered by the Japanese navy last Friday. A naval search team recovered the second pilot’s body on Sunday. The air force confirmed his identity, which was not released to the public.

The F-15 disappeared from radar soon after taking off from Komatsu air base for training.

The cause of the crash has not yet been established.

The Defence Ministry has not sought to ground Japan’s F-15s in the wake of the incident.

The two-seater F-15 from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force crashed in waters off the central Ishikawa region during a training mission on January 31. PHOTO: AFP

Have you seen him?

Rokiah Mahmud

The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) is seeking public cooperation in tracking down a local man, Mohammad Azman bin Bungsu, to assist with police investigations.

Mohammad Azman holds a yellow identification card bearing the number 00-310655. A police report was lodged at the Muara Police Station.

Information on his whereabouts can be relayed to the RBPF Women and Child Abuse Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department at 2459500 (ext 490/333), police hotline 993 or the nearest police station.

Mohammad Azman bin Bungsu. PHOTO: RBPF

Swimmers plunge in icy lake near Olympics

BEIJING (AP) – Sixty-year-old Chen Jieyu dove into the murky water of Houhai Lake, covered partially in a layer of ice and snow. Snowflakes were falling, and she had on just a regular red swimsuit, her arms and legs exposed. It was minus-six degrees Celsius outside.

As the Winter Olympics carry on just a short distance away inside the bubble, Beijing residents are enjoying their own traditional winter games by the lake situated in Xicheng district.

“Actually anyone can do it, anyone will be cold,” said Chen, who said their icy swims should also be considered a Winter Olympics event. “As you do winter swimming more and more, you’ll feel like you can prevail over the cold.”

As she climbed out of the water, she beamed. She then grasped the hand of a young boy watching her swim. “Ah so cold!” he shrieked.

The swimmers from Beijing Houhai Happy Winter Swimming Team range in age from 20 to 90.

Some come every day, rain or shine, smog or clear skies.

During the winter, they get many curious onlookers, and their presence has become a quirk of the city, even as the older buildings of the hutongs have been levelled for new, taller apartment blocks. “I go into the water every day, all four seasons in a year,” said Han Liyuan, a 72-year-old Beijing resident. Han has been showing up to swim at the lake for eight years.

A man swims in the half-frozen water at the Shichahai Lake. PHOTO: AP

Pipe works bring water disruptions

Lyna Mohamad

Residents of Kampong Ayer, Mukim Lumapas, Mukim Sungai Kebun and surrounding areas experienced water disruptions beginning 10am yesterday as repair works are being carried out on a 600 millimetres water pipe near the Kampong Tamoi Mosque.

The Public Works Department urged the public to be prudent in water usage and to call Darussalam Line 123 for clean water supply through water tankers (limited service).

Injured Olympian gets big air in big-cat costume for kicks

BEIJING (AP) – There were no tail grabs for this tiger.

French snowboarder Lucile Lefevre (AP, pic below) was a crowd pleaser at Big Air Shougang all the same. The 26-year-old helped Beijing ring in the Year of the Tiger by putting on an orange-and-black big-cat costume during qualifying yesterday in women’s big air and miming a pair of claws while some 20 feet off the ground.

Lefevre decided a year ago that the Beijing Olympics would be her last snowboarding competition, then hurt her knee during last week’s slopestyle event. The injury prevented her from trying any tricks coming down the 155-foot big air ramp, but she still wanted to participate.

So she borrowed a head-to-toe tiger suit from Swiss snowboarder Nicolas Huber, giving a little flair to her otherwise straight-forward jumps.

Lefevre took the first of her three runs in her standard French jacket, amusing spectators by waving to cameras instead of performing a trick.

She broke out the tiger jumpsuit for Round 2. Lefevre scratched at the air for that jump, but after watching a replay, she realised the motion just looked funny in mittens. So on her final turn, she waved toward the judges’ tower instead. “It was not super beautiful,” she said of her claws. “So I decided for the last one to just say hi to the judges. And especially the French one, because it’s a friend of mine.”

Asked why Huber had the costume to begin with, Lefevre explained that “he’s a crazy man, actually”. The 27-year-old Huber has been wearing it for a series of videos on his Instagram, apparently inspired by Lunar New Year celebrations that overlapped with the start of the Winter Games.

“I asked yesterday if he can give it to me for the day, a special day for me,” Lefevre said.

“And he said ‘Yes, of course.’” When she was three, Lefevre was diagnosed with osteochondrosis, a rare illness that stunts bone growth. She had three operations, and doctors told her sports were off the table.

“I said, ‘Okay, I just want to do some easy sports’,” she recalled. “And then I tried snowboarding.”

She’s ranked as high as seventh in the slopestyle World Cup rankings, carving out a career as a pro athlete. She wanted to go out with a message, “Right now, there is a lot of problems in the world, and if everyone is peace and easy, the world will be better for sure,” she said.

575 RBAF personnel receive the nod

Adib Noor

With the consent of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, 575 Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) personnel, comprising in-service and retired personnel, received long service and good conduct medals in a ceremony held at RBAF military camps yesterday.

Forty-two RBAF officers received their long service and good conduct medals in a ceremony at the Ministry of Defence, Bolkiah Garrison from RBAF Commander Major General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat, followed by a presentation of medals to 84 recipients by Joint Force Commander Brigadier General Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Razak bin Haji Abdul Kadir.

Meanwhile, 192 Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF) personnel received medals at the 1st Battalion Parade Square, Berakas Garrison from RBLF Commander Brigadier General Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan.

At Muara Naval Base, 86 Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) personnel received medals from RBN Commander First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Spry bin Haji Serudi @ Haji Seruji.

Also received medals were 121 Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) personnel at the Rimba Air Force Base, presented by RBAirF Deputy Commander Colonel (U) Haji Alirupendi bin Haji Perudin.

Elsewhere at the Training Institute RBAF (TI RBAF), 22 personnel received medals from TI RBAF Commandant Colonel (U) Haji Haszahaidi bin Haji Ahmad Daud at Penanjong Garrison.

In addition, 24 Special Forces Regiment (SFR) personnel received medals from SFR Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Muhd Suwardi bin Pehin Datu Laksamana Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Latif.

ABOVE & BELOW: RBAF Commander Major General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat; and Joint Force Commander Brigadier General Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Razak bin Haji Abdul Kadir present medals to recipients. PHOTOS: ADIB NOOR

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Borneo Bulletin is the leading English daily in the country. It was first published by Brunei Press. Today, Borneo Bulletin has become the foremost source of information on local and foreign affairs, and the region’s business news.

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