BY Izah Azahari

Asia Inc Forum organised a Transform 2022 Town Hall Forum at Radisson Hotel on Thursday to explore business opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as the Brunei economy emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It drew the participation of over 120 delegates representing a diverse and comprehensive representation of Brunei economy.

The forum began with a speech from Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Dr Abdul Fattaah, Chairman of Baiduri Bank, followed by welcoming remarks from Asia Inc Forum Chairman and convenor of the forum Dato Paduka Timothy Ong Teck Mong.

“I believe that every great business was once a problem in disguise. What makes an entrepreneur or entrepreneurial manager different is that they are not problem-focussed, they are solution-focussed. When they think about problems, they think about solutions.

When they find solutions, they think of opportunities,” said Dato Paduka Timothy Ong.

There was also a keynote address from Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin titled ‘New Opportunities for a New Economy’ that provided an overview of the Brunei economy and the vision for the future while highlighting the role and opportunities for SMEs and local businesses in the Sultanate’s growth story.

The town hall continued with two discussions led by a diverse panel of local and oversea business leaders.

The first discussion on ‘Thinking Outside the Box: Interesting Ideas from the Private Sector’ featured panellists – Jana Kapital founder Haji Aidil Bahrin bin Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Mohd Salleh; BEEP Technologies founder Denny Muslim; Rumine Corporation co-founder Sarinah binti Ziziumzia; En Evo co-founder Siti Norasyidah binti Haji Kariya; and Vitualahan Philippines founder Ryan Gersava.

The second discussion on ‘Smart Ideas for Brunei SMEs: Preparing for 2023’ featured – Baiduri Bank Head of Corporate Banking and Trade Finance Leonard Lee; Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Daniel Leong; Lily Imani Enterprise, Eat Well Co & Home Suite Home Co RCCA, BE International founder Liyana Imani Abdul Latif; Progresif Chief Corporate Strategy Officer Johan bin Dato Dr Haji Johar; and Scaleup Malaysia Senior Partner Renuka Sena.

The forum was organised in partnership with Baiduri Bank.

Baiduri Bank CEO Ti Eng Hui said the town hall forum is an important event that the bank has been involved in for many years to support SMEs by bringing them together to discuss business issues as well as explore opportunities.

“We are happy to be supporting the Asia Inc Forum for many years and we will continue to do so because it is our role to support the SMEs in Brunei, not just large corporations,” said Ti.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin