By Salawati Haji Yahya –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, OCT 30 – A total of 168 people attended the Business Forum organized for the first time by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Bandar Seri Begawan at Hotel J, recently.
The forum focuses on three key areas in helping association members and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to succeed in the economy through collaboration, digital technology and international trade.
Present as the guest of honor at the forum, Forum Asia Inc Chairman, Dato Timothy Ong in his keynote speech shared how businesses can thrive in small economies by citing examples from small countries and other practical areas that SMEs can focus on. The first discussion focused on ‘achieving shared prosperity through digital technology, cooperation and overseas business’ where the first panelists discussed ways in which all developed parties can achieve prosperity and drive Brunei’s economy forward.
The panelists consisted of CCC President, Lim Han Chiong; Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Brunei Economic Development Board (LKEB), Daniel Leong; Chief Executive Officer of DST, Radin Sufri Basiuni; and Head of Corporate Relationship Management of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), Andy Lim. The second panel discussion brought together leaders and representatives from the National, International and Chinese Chambers of Commerce and YEAB to discuss how different associations can work together to benefit their members while contributing to the economy.
The highlight of the event was a presentation by Ted Tan from Singapore Enterprise Fellows, who shared the best practices of the Singapore government working with different associations to grow their businesses locally and internationally.
The forum, which is one of the largest gatherings of business associations, was represented by the CCC, the National Chamber of Commerce, the Malay Chamber of Commerce, the International Chamber of Commerce, the Indian Chamber of Commerce, the BIMP EAGA Brunei Darussalam Business Council (BDBEBC), the Brunei Malay Entrepreneurs Association, the Brunei Young Entrepreneurs Association, and Brunei Freight Forwarders Association (BRUFA).