Focusing on our smallness: Human capital development
Key to success: Brunei has one of the highest standards of living in the world thanks to its rich natural gas and petroleum resources. Picture: Rudolf PortilloCentre for Strategic
and Policy Studies
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Friday, June 27, 2008
AS A small nation state, Brunei is in a unique position when compared to other similar-sized countries around the world when it comes to economic development.
While other small nation states such as Singapore, Luxembourg and Iceland depend primarily on its human capital stock for its economic development, Brunei's development has had a helping hand, spurred on by a blessed abundance of oil and natural gas, driving Brunei's GDP per capita to being one of the highest in Asia. In the 2007/2008 Human Development Index ranking, Brunei Darussalam was ranked 30th out of 177 countries, and 5th amongst all Asian countries, and ranked send amongst Asean countries. Bruneians currently enjoy a relatively affluent lifestyle, but this lifestyle and its current state of social welfare may not be sustainable in the near future, as the country remains mired with difficult challenges to its economic development. Notably, these challenges include a failing economic diversification strategy despite efforts since the 1970s to kick start diversification from its over-reliance on oil and gas. Findings from the latest research on Brunei's failing diversification efforts also uncovered a lack of clarity of purpose for its economic diversification efforts, as highlighted in the recent Economic Diversification Roundtable Meeting held in June 2008 by the Centre of Strategic and Policy Studies in collaboration with Asia Inc Forum. Almost as important, any discussion of economic development for small nation states should also touch on its characteristic of smallness, specifically in reference to their relatively small population size and consequently the small pool of talent and human capital it can draw from. For Brunei, this is no different. In fact, it is more crucial to address this issue given that over the past 50 years, the Brunei economy has depended too heavily on natural resources rather than the human kind to drive it forward. In order for Brunei to maintain its rate of growth and standard of living into the future, we must ask important questions of ourselves: Has our country developed and readied its human capital stock to ensure it can fill the void left behind by dwindling oil and gas reserves when the post oil-and-gas era hits Brunei? Given that Brunei does not have a large population, it becomes pertinent then for the country to not only focus on getting the quantity of highly qualified human capital up, but also to improve the quality of its human capital. A degree of specialisation in its human capital development efforts is also important for Brunei as research has shown that small developing states are able to strive and compete in the international arena, but only on the basis of a narrow specialisation based on their natural advantages.
If specialisation is not achieved, Brunei may run the risk of spreading its expertise of human capital too thin, and consequently never reaching a critical mass of skill pool in any particular industry targeted by the country as future industries and markets of worthy endeavour. Brunei, therefore, must learn from lessons of other small nation states, and leverage its natural advantages of oil and gas to develop its human capital stock in order to identify which area to focus on and specialise in. Then the challenge would be successfully translating those lessons into real world practical terms exemplified through human capital development plans that are not only clear in its purpose and direction but are also aligned with the long term strategic direction of the country, rather than fleeting fad directions propagated by the media. Each ministry of the Bruneian government has a role to play, but none more important than the role played by Brunei's Ministry of Education. As the custodian for the country's human capital development strategy, the Ministry of Education will have to make tough choices for its education policy to protect the long-term interest of the country. Trade-offs, the kind that was mentioned in the Economic Diversification Roundtable June 2008, will need to be made, and competing interests between individuals, institutions, and ministries will have to be managed. Educational and human capital development strategic policies that may have been put in place for non-economic reasons may need to be re-examined and difficult choices and tradeoffs will have to be made.
Sooner or later, Brunei will need to decide on these tradeoffs, as eventually they will turn into important necessities for success rather than luxuries that are currently afforded to us by our abundance of wealth — in essence, as the saying goes 'one cannot have the cake and eat it too'. Successful human capital development will require the country make crucial tradeoffs between economic, social, political and sometimes religious needs.
However, the Ministry of Education cannot do this alone. Its efforts are only as effective as the coordination and assistance it gets from other government ministries, and importantly, the private sector. Global and local labour market forces will shape how Brunei's Ministry of Education choose to formulate their human capital development plans, but we must also encourage the Ministry to develop and fine-tune its efforts to ensure those market forces are heeded, and incorporated into any such plans. Success will come from all government ministries working in tandem with the Ministry of Education towards a unifying goal, rather than individual political interests inadvertently pulling the country every other way, and consequently losing clarity of purpose for the country's diversification efforts. Human capital development is an important agenda for Brunei for its future welfare.
Lessons from other countries of similar size should provide a clear picture of what Brunei needs to do as a nation. Countries such as Luxembourg, Iceland and Singapore may have no natural resource of any kind, but evident from each country's GDP and HDI ranking (Iceland is ranked 1st, Luxembourg ranks 18th, while Singapore is ranked 25th), human capital is key to their success stories. Luxembourg for example, while geographically and culturally different from Brunei, have a similar population size of approximately 485,000, yet affords its people a GDP per capita three times the size of Brunei's. At an average GDP per capita of US$90,000 ($123,166), Luxembourg's economic development is not down to its natural resource but on human capital: 85 per cent of its US$50 billion GDP economy is primarily driven by its services industry. So too is Singapore, who have no natural resource to speak of, even importing its water from neighbouring Malaysia, but yet have a GDP per capita higher than Brunei and an economy primarily driven by its human capital through its services and financial sector. And Iceland, with a population less than Brunei's, affords its population a GDP per capita of almost US$33,000, with zero oil and natural gas, depends on its fishing and services industry to drive its economy forward. If Brunei makes those important, but sometime unpopular decisions that will have significant tradeoffs for society, perhaps someday Brunei can rub shoulders with Iceland, Luxembourg and Singapore in the HDI rankings. More importantly, success would also mean Brunei can afford its people more of the affluent lifestyle it now experiences, if not better.
The Brunei Times
Friday, June 27, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
World has ample oil reserves to meet demand for decades
World has ample oil reserves to meet demand for decades
JEDDAH
Monday, June 23, 2008
Oil summit calls for greater transparency, more investment
SAUDI Oil Minister Ali al-Nuaimi said yesterday the world has enough crude to last for "many decades" and that his country will invest massively to be able to produce 15 million barrels a day.
This came as the Jeddah energy summit, convened to address rocketing oil prices, yesterday called for greater transparency and regulation in dealing and more investment in production.
The summit's final communique came amid accusations by oil producers that "speculators" are playing a key role in the dramatic rise in crude prices that earlier this month hit a record close to US$140 per barrel.
"Participants noted with concern that oil prices have risen sharply and become more hostile due to a host of factors," said the closing statement from the high-profile meeting of major oil powers and consumers in this Saudi city.
"Participants agreed that the situation requires concerted efforts from all parties producing and consuming countries to bring stability to the international oil market for the benefit of all," it added.
Leaders and ministers from the 36 nations agreed to recognise that "the transparency and regulation of financial markets should be improved through measures to capture more data on index fund activity and to examine cross-exchange interactions in the crude market."
The statement also appealed for increased investment in crude production to ensure markets have sufficient supplies.
"The existence of spare capacity throughout the chain is important for the stability of the global oil market," it said.
"Hence, an appropriate increase in investment, both upstream and downstream, is necessary to ensure that the markets are well supplied in a timely and adequate manner."
Saudi Arabia's Nuaimi told the summit, "The world has enough petroleum reserves, both conventional and non-conventional, to meet oil demand for many, many decades to come.
"Concerns over long-term supply shortages seem to be playing a role in strong futures prices, though I believe these concerns are badly misplaced," Nuaimi added.
In contrast, US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman told the meeting that "production had not kept pace with growing demand for oil, resulting in increasing in increasingly volatile prices."
Nuaimi said Saudi Arabia's production capacity will rise to 12.5 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of 2009 and another 2.5 million bpd could be added if demand warranted.
Projects under way will see "the kingdom's maximum sustained production capacity rise to 12.5 million bpd by the end of next year," he said. It currently has output capacity of 11.3 million bpd.
"In addition, we have identified a series of future crude mega increments totalling another 2.5 million bpd of capacity that could be built if and when crude oil demand warrants their development," the minister said.
The projects include a 900,000 bpd boost in Zuluf, 700,000 bpd in Safaniya, 300,000 bpd each in Berri and Khurais and 250,000 bpd in Shaybah, Nuaimi said. AFP
JEDDAH
Monday, June 23, 2008
Oil summit calls for greater transparency, more investment
SAUDI Oil Minister Ali al-Nuaimi said yesterday the world has enough crude to last for "many decades" and that his country will invest massively to be able to produce 15 million barrels a day.
This came as the Jeddah energy summit, convened to address rocketing oil prices, yesterday called for greater transparency and regulation in dealing and more investment in production.
The summit's final communique came amid accusations by oil producers that "speculators" are playing a key role in the dramatic rise in crude prices that earlier this month hit a record close to US$140 per barrel.
"Participants noted with concern that oil prices have risen sharply and become more hostile due to a host of factors," said the closing statement from the high-profile meeting of major oil powers and consumers in this Saudi city.
"Participants agreed that the situation requires concerted efforts from all parties producing and consuming countries to bring stability to the international oil market for the benefit of all," it added.
Leaders and ministers from the 36 nations agreed to recognise that "the transparency and regulation of financial markets should be improved through measures to capture more data on index fund activity and to examine cross-exchange interactions in the crude market."
The statement also appealed for increased investment in crude production to ensure markets have sufficient supplies.
"The existence of spare capacity throughout the chain is important for the stability of the global oil market," it said.
"Hence, an appropriate increase in investment, both upstream and downstream, is necessary to ensure that the markets are well supplied in a timely and adequate manner."
Saudi Arabia's Nuaimi told the summit, "The world has enough petroleum reserves, both conventional and non-conventional, to meet oil demand for many, many decades to come.
"Concerns over long-term supply shortages seem to be playing a role in strong futures prices, though I believe these concerns are badly misplaced," Nuaimi added.
In contrast, US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman told the meeting that "production had not kept pace with growing demand for oil, resulting in increasing in increasingly volatile prices."
Nuaimi said Saudi Arabia's production capacity will rise to 12.5 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of 2009 and another 2.5 million bpd could be added if demand warranted.
Projects under way will see "the kingdom's maximum sustained production capacity rise to 12.5 million bpd by the end of next year," he said. It currently has output capacity of 11.3 million bpd.
"In addition, we have identified a series of future crude mega increments totalling another 2.5 million bpd of capacity that could be built if and when crude oil demand warrants their development," the minister said.
The projects include a 900,000 bpd boost in Zuluf, 700,000 bpd in Safaniya, 300,000 bpd each in Berri and Khurais and 250,000 bpd in Shaybah, Nuaimi said. AFP
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Brunei raises fuel prices for foreigners
Brunei raises fuel prices for foreigners
Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:46am BST
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, June 17 (Reuters) - Oil-rich Brunei will
substantially raise petrol and diesel prices for foreigners from June 19 to
rein in mounting fuel subsidies, the government said.
Like other Asian countries, the tiny but wealthy sultanate on Borneo island is
grappling with soaring subsidies in order to keep its pump prices the lowest
in Southeast Asia.
Brunei's Energy Ministry said late on Monday that foreign motorists would
have to pay B$1.18 ($0.86) for premium petrol, more than double the 53
Brunei cents for Brunei-registered vehicles.
The change takes the enhanced Brunei fuel price to the same level as in
neighbouring Malaysia. Since Malaysia raised petrol and diesel prices on
June 5, many Malaysians in east Malaysia have made a beeline for Brunei
to seek relatively cheaper fuel.
"We get hundreds of Malaysians taking their cars across the border daily
just to buy fuel," said one Brunei resident.
Brunei said diesel prices would be raised to B$1.13 a litre from the 31
Brunei cents it charges to Bruneians.
The government said sales of diesel to foreign vehicles rose by 66 percent
on June 5-6 compared with June 1-4 while sales of premium petrol rose by
36 percent during the same period.
Brunei spent B$202 million on fuel subsidies in 2007, up sharply from B$50
million in 2004, government data showed.
Oil and natural gas are the mainstay of Brunei's economy. The government
has told the people to conserve energy, saying petroleum resources would
not last forever.
"Some of us seem to have forgotten or have neglected the need to be
prudent when using these commodities," Energy Minister Yahya Bakar said
last month. (Writing by Jalil Hamid, Editing by Valerie Lee)
© Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. Users may download and print extracts of content from
this website for their own personal and non-commercial use only. Republication or redistribution of
Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the
prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters and its logo are registered trademarks or
trademarks of the Thomson Reuters group of companies around the world.
Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair
Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:46am BST
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, June 17 (Reuters) - Oil-rich Brunei will
substantially raise petrol and diesel prices for foreigners from June 19 to
rein in mounting fuel subsidies, the government said.
Like other Asian countries, the tiny but wealthy sultanate on Borneo island is
grappling with soaring subsidies in order to keep its pump prices the lowest
in Southeast Asia.
Brunei's Energy Ministry said late on Monday that foreign motorists would
have to pay B$1.18 ($0.86) for premium petrol, more than double the 53
Brunei cents for Brunei-registered vehicles.
The change takes the enhanced Brunei fuel price to the same level as in
neighbouring Malaysia. Since Malaysia raised petrol and diesel prices on
June 5, many Malaysians in east Malaysia have made a beeline for Brunei
to seek relatively cheaper fuel.
"We get hundreds of Malaysians taking their cars across the border daily
just to buy fuel," said one Brunei resident.
Brunei said diesel prices would be raised to B$1.13 a litre from the 31
Brunei cents it charges to Bruneians.
The government said sales of diesel to foreign vehicles rose by 66 percent
on June 5-6 compared with June 1-4 while sales of premium petrol rose by
36 percent during the same period.
Brunei spent B$202 million on fuel subsidies in 2007, up sharply from B$50
million in 2004, government data showed.
Oil and natural gas are the mainstay of Brunei's economy. The government
has told the people to conserve energy, saying petroleum resources would
not last forever.
"Some of us seem to have forgotten or have neglected the need to be
prudent when using these commodities," Energy Minister Yahya Bakar said
last month. (Writing by Jalil Hamid, Editing by Valerie Lee)
© Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. Users may download and print extracts of content from
this website for their own personal and non-commercial use only. Republication or redistribution of
Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the
prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters and its logo are registered trademarks or
trademarks of the Thomson Reuters group of companies around the world.
Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Miri losing its pull with shoppers
Miri losing its pull with shoppers
UBAIDILLAH MASLI
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, June 14, 2008
MIRI has always been a popular hot-spot for Bruneians who wish to stock up on food and miscellaneous supplies due to its cheaper products.
Of late, however, it appears that travel costs and safety fears has deterred many from travelling across the border to perform the monthly grocery run.
According to a news report from the media in Miri, it was found that there was a significant decrease in the number of Bruneians visiting the city.
For the first five months of this year, it was stated that there was a total of 365,190 visitors passing through the Sg Tujoh Immigration Post. This is a decrease of 126,774 visitors compared to the same period last year. Of this decrease, 80 per cent, or 101,419 travellers were Bruneians.
A civil servant, Suriani Hj Abdurahman, said that it was probably because people were afraid their cars may be stolen or broken into. She had heard frightening stories of Bruneians who had their vehicles hijacked, or held at knife-point.
She added that the higher cost of fuel in Malaysia, the tolls at the checkpoints and the length of journey itself, may have made Bruneians less inclined to travel to Miri.
"Rather than spend a lot of money to travel to Miri, they might as well shop here," Suriani told The Brunei Times.
She said that Bruneians were now more likely to shop at local supermarkets, as the goods may be cheaper when all the other factors were taken into account in the trip to Miri.
Hj Md Zunaidi Hj Zakaria, an employee at the Prime Minister's Office had similar views. He felt safety concerns may be the main reason for fewer people going to Miri.
He also felt that this was due to the trend that Bruneians now travel to Malaysia for holidays rather than shopping.
One 30-year-old male, working in the Tutong District said that car theft was common in Miri. He had heard of offenders smashing through car windows to steal valuables such as laptops and cameras.
"These stories makes us afraid to go to Miri," he said.
The Brunei Times
UBAIDILLAH MASLI
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, June 14, 2008
MIRI has always been a popular hot-spot for Bruneians who wish to stock up on food and miscellaneous supplies due to its cheaper products.
Of late, however, it appears that travel costs and safety fears has deterred many from travelling across the border to perform the monthly grocery run.
According to a news report from the media in Miri, it was found that there was a significant decrease in the number of Bruneians visiting the city.
For the first five months of this year, it was stated that there was a total of 365,190 visitors passing through the Sg Tujoh Immigration Post. This is a decrease of 126,774 visitors compared to the same period last year. Of this decrease, 80 per cent, or 101,419 travellers were Bruneians.
A civil servant, Suriani Hj Abdurahman, said that it was probably because people were afraid their cars may be stolen or broken into. She had heard frightening stories of Bruneians who had their vehicles hijacked, or held at knife-point.
She added that the higher cost of fuel in Malaysia, the tolls at the checkpoints and the length of journey itself, may have made Bruneians less inclined to travel to Miri.
"Rather than spend a lot of money to travel to Miri, they might as well shop here," Suriani told The Brunei Times.
She said that Bruneians were now more likely to shop at local supermarkets, as the goods may be cheaper when all the other factors were taken into account in the trip to Miri.
Hj Md Zunaidi Hj Zakaria, an employee at the Prime Minister's Office had similar views. He felt safety concerns may be the main reason for fewer people going to Miri.
He also felt that this was due to the trend that Bruneians now travel to Malaysia for holidays rather than shopping.
One 30-year-old male, working in the Tutong District said that car theft was common in Miri. He had heard of offenders smashing through car windows to steal valuables such as laptops and cameras.
"These stories makes us afraid to go to Miri," he said.
The Brunei Times
Miri losing its pull with shoppers
Miri losing its pull with shoppers
UBAIDILLAH MASLI
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, June 14, 2008
MIRI has always been a popular hot-spot for Bruneians who wish to stock up on food and miscellaneous supplies due to its cheaper products.
Of late, however, it appears that travel costs and safety fears has deterred many from travelling across the border to perform the monthly grocery run.
According to a news report from the media in Miri, it was found that there was a significant decrease in the number of Bruneians visiting the city.
For the first five months of this year, it was stated that there was a total of 365,190 visitors passing through the Sg Tujoh Immigration Post. This is a decrease of 126,774 visitors compared to the same period last year. Of this decrease, 80 per cent, or 101,419 travellers were Bruneians.
A civil servant, Suriani Hj Abdurahman, said that it was probably because people were afraid their cars may be stolen or broken into. She had heard frightening stories of Bruneians who had their vehicles hijacked, or held at knife-point.
She added that the higher cost of fuel in Malaysia, the tolls at the checkpoints and the length of journey itself, may have made Bruneians less inclined to travel to Miri.
"Rather than spend a lot of money to travel to Miri, they might as well shop here," Suriani told The Brunei Times.
She said that Bruneians were now more likely to shop at local supermarkets, as the goods may be cheaper when all the other factors were taken into account in the trip to Miri.
Hj Md Zunaidi Hj Zakaria, an employee at the Prime Minister's Office had similar views. He felt safety concerns may be the main reason for fewer people going to Miri.
He also felt that this was due to the trend that Bruneians now travel to Malaysia for holidays rather than shopping.
One 30-year-old male, working in the Tutong District said that car theft was common in Miri. He had heard of offenders smashing through car windows to steal valuables such as laptops and cameras.
"These stories makes us afraid to go to Miri," he said.
The Brunei Times
UBAIDILLAH MASLI
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, June 14, 2008
MIRI has always been a popular hot-spot for Bruneians who wish to stock up on food and miscellaneous supplies due to its cheaper products.
Of late, however, it appears that travel costs and safety fears has deterred many from travelling across the border to perform the monthly grocery run.
According to a news report from the media in Miri, it was found that there was a significant decrease in the number of Bruneians visiting the city.
For the first five months of this year, it was stated that there was a total of 365,190 visitors passing through the Sg Tujoh Immigration Post. This is a decrease of 126,774 visitors compared to the same period last year. Of this decrease, 80 per cent, or 101,419 travellers were Bruneians.
A civil servant, Suriani Hj Abdurahman, said that it was probably because people were afraid their cars may be stolen or broken into. She had heard frightening stories of Bruneians who had their vehicles hijacked, or held at knife-point.
She added that the higher cost of fuel in Malaysia, the tolls at the checkpoints and the length of journey itself, may have made Bruneians less inclined to travel to Miri.
"Rather than spend a lot of money to travel to Miri, they might as well shop here," Suriani told The Brunei Times.
She said that Bruneians were now more likely to shop at local supermarkets, as the goods may be cheaper when all the other factors were taken into account in the trip to Miri.
Hj Md Zunaidi Hj Zakaria, an employee at the Prime Minister's Office had similar views. He felt safety concerns may be the main reason for fewer people going to Miri.
He also felt that this was due to the trend that Bruneians now travel to Malaysia for holidays rather than shopping.
One 30-year-old male, working in the Tutong District said that car theft was common in Miri. He had heard of offenders smashing through car windows to steal valuables such as laptops and cameras.
"These stories makes us afraid to go to Miri," he said.
The Brunei Times
Saturday, June 7, 2008
'Family' feeds on eco-tourism
'Family' feeds on eco-tourism
Rainforest trek: Tourists and representatives from The Brunei Tourism Board take snapshots on the suspension bridge at the Ulu Temburong National Park. Eco-tourism is taking root in the country, with more and more tourists looking for newer tour packages. Picture: BT file photoSobrina Rosli
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, June 7, 2008
PASSION for Brunei's green jewels is what has kept Mona FloraFauna Tours Enterprise up and running, struggling to sustain what it has begun without forgetting the value of protecting the nation's natural and valued blessings.
Mona FloraFauna Tours Enterprise, one of Brunei's very own inbound tour operators, has been offering eco-tourism services and packages for the last six years. It was granted a licence to operate in 2002 after convincing the Brunei Tourism Board of its capabilities to venture into a different breed of tourism.
"When I was given the licence to operate as an inbound tour operator I was so happy. We started with zero capital, (with) just knowledge to start with," says managing director Muhd Daud Abdullah, also known as 'Jungle Dave'.
The enterprise' priority from the start, he says, was to involve villages in its growth.
"Each village has its own skills and experiences that are valuable to our tourism plans. Even until today we are still discovering new things about Brunei," he says.
A case in point, he says, is the development in Kampung Supon of the Tutong district with Muslim Iban senior citizens at the Kebubuk Longhouse.
"Their skills are just amazing. I stayed with them to learn and experience their lifestyle" while engaging residents in an effort to identify tourist hotspots within the village, including a gigantic tree.
"They showed me the coompasia tree with a buttress root two storeys high, about 40 metres," he says.
"I asked what would happen if anyone wanted to cut down that tree. I found out that the villagers would do anything to protect that tree. They would die with the tree. I said wow! These are the people I want to work with," he adds.
Within the village he also identified a forest area with more than 30 species of Borneo orchids.
"It is near to impossible to find 30 species of orchids in one area, but Brunei has that untouched."
He credits the company's growth to his passion and the interest of his staff in nature preservation. He values and treats staff like family members.
"For my family members here when I hired them, honestly, they had no interest (in the venture) at all. Bruneians have wrong perceptions where they do not want to work in the private sector," he says.
"But it all depends on individual companies, on how they train and treat the staff."
He trains his staff through practical mechanisms from being in the forest to experience and learn to identify different plants and trees.
"They follow me into the jungle and (I) teach them about various herbs, plants and animals. The things they learn is something new to them, it is not like in television, it's real," he says.
At the moment the enterprise has 13 guides, with another 32 community guides hired at the villages.
"Most of the community guides are unemployed youths from the villages, (we provide) training for them," he says.
Muhd Daud says his enterprise still has a long way to go despite its established presence.
"We started with zero financial back up. We work hard where most of our money is being used for investments into facilities and salaries. Enough to cover expenses."
He looks back to that time when his enterprise wanted to close down.
"We lost hope at one point in 2005. All our family members sat down together and considered whether to pack up and find a job, but all the family members wanted it to continue."
His outlook for next year's performance is much more positive with several foreign tour operators scheduled to bring in tourist groups. The company has already had tourists coming in from Australia, Europe and New Zealand.
Other than depending on foreign tourists the company also promotes itself locally.
"For the government sector sometimes we groundhandle for VIPs coming into the country as well as to cater for private companies on trips.
"This is our sixth year of business. When we reach 10 years, we will call it fruiting for 10 years. We have another four years to achieve this,"
The Brunei Times
Rainforest trek: Tourists and representatives from The Brunei Tourism Board take snapshots on the suspension bridge at the Ulu Temburong National Park. Eco-tourism is taking root in the country, with more and more tourists looking for newer tour packages. Picture: BT file photoSobrina Rosli
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, June 7, 2008
PASSION for Brunei's green jewels is what has kept Mona FloraFauna Tours Enterprise up and running, struggling to sustain what it has begun without forgetting the value of protecting the nation's natural and valued blessings.
Mona FloraFauna Tours Enterprise, one of Brunei's very own inbound tour operators, has been offering eco-tourism services and packages for the last six years. It was granted a licence to operate in 2002 after convincing the Brunei Tourism Board of its capabilities to venture into a different breed of tourism.
"When I was given the licence to operate as an inbound tour operator I was so happy. We started with zero capital, (with) just knowledge to start with," says managing director Muhd Daud Abdullah, also known as 'Jungle Dave'.
The enterprise' priority from the start, he says, was to involve villages in its growth.
"Each village has its own skills and experiences that are valuable to our tourism plans. Even until today we are still discovering new things about Brunei," he says.
A case in point, he says, is the development in Kampung Supon of the Tutong district with Muslim Iban senior citizens at the Kebubuk Longhouse.
"Their skills are just amazing. I stayed with them to learn and experience their lifestyle" while engaging residents in an effort to identify tourist hotspots within the village, including a gigantic tree.
"They showed me the coompasia tree with a buttress root two storeys high, about 40 metres," he says.
"I asked what would happen if anyone wanted to cut down that tree. I found out that the villagers would do anything to protect that tree. They would die with the tree. I said wow! These are the people I want to work with," he adds.
Within the village he also identified a forest area with more than 30 species of Borneo orchids.
"It is near to impossible to find 30 species of orchids in one area, but Brunei has that untouched."
He credits the company's growth to his passion and the interest of his staff in nature preservation. He values and treats staff like family members.
"For my family members here when I hired them, honestly, they had no interest (in the venture) at all. Bruneians have wrong perceptions where they do not want to work in the private sector," he says.
"But it all depends on individual companies, on how they train and treat the staff."
He trains his staff through practical mechanisms from being in the forest to experience and learn to identify different plants and trees.
"They follow me into the jungle and (I) teach them about various herbs, plants and animals. The things they learn is something new to them, it is not like in television, it's real," he says.
At the moment the enterprise has 13 guides, with another 32 community guides hired at the villages.
"Most of the community guides are unemployed youths from the villages, (we provide) training for them," he says.
Muhd Daud says his enterprise still has a long way to go despite its established presence.
"We started with zero financial back up. We work hard where most of our money is being used for investments into facilities and salaries. Enough to cover expenses."
He looks back to that time when his enterprise wanted to close down.
"We lost hope at one point in 2005. All our family members sat down together and considered whether to pack up and find a job, but all the family members wanted it to continue."
His outlook for next year's performance is much more positive with several foreign tour operators scheduled to bring in tourist groups. The company has already had tourists coming in from Australia, Europe and New Zealand.
Other than depending on foreign tourists the company also promotes itself locally.
"For the government sector sometimes we groundhandle for VIPs coming into the country as well as to cater for private companies on trips.
"This is our sixth year of business. When we reach 10 years, we will call it fruiting for 10 years. We have another four years to achieve this,"
The Brunei Times
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Prescriptions to speed up diversification
Prescriptions to speed up diversification
Oil drill: This oil rig in the Belait district is a familiar sight and a reminder of Brunei's oil wealth. Picture: Rudolf PortilloFinaz Daniel
BRUNEI-MUARA
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Wide-ranging set of reforms proposed by two experts
TWO experts who looked into the causes of the slow pace in the diversification of Brunei's economy recommended wide-ranging reforms to speed up the process.The recommendations range from rationalising the bureaucracy, including reducing the salaries and benefits of government employees, cutting red tape, improving human resources, encouraging the youth to take up entrepreneurship to improving infrastructure, building an enabling business environment, strengthening the corporate sector and easing the way for the entry of foreign investors.
The recommendations were outlined during a roundtable yesterday organised by private think tank Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS), with support from Asia Inc Forum,
at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Participants heard from Manu Bhaskaran from Singapore-based consultant Centennial Asia Advisors Pte Ltd and Dr Mark Crosby of the Melbourne Business School, the two experts brought in to look at Brunei's situation.
Speakers and experts from various industries were also present to comment on the findings.
The speakers' reports offered a platform for the participants to discuss where Brunei stands, its strengths and weaknesses as well as uncover areas of possibilities beyond that of the oil and gas industry.
Brunei "offers a sound, stable and secure economic climate to encourage foreign direct investors as well as fuel the growth of local SMEs to expand locally and internationally," said Dato Paduka Mohd Alimin Abdul Wahab, acting chairman of CSPS, in his welcoming remarks.
Brunei, he said, "has to move forward in considering our economic policy", noting oil reserves may run out in 30 years.
Old and new ideas and perspectives on areas to succeed in and how to overcome the challenges and diversify the economy were discussed during the roundtable, such as the potential the sultanate holds in becoming an international financial centre for Islamic banking, securities and insurance.
Crosby recommended for the government to consider rationalising the bureaucracy and reforming the public sector, including cutting red tape, and reducing the salaries and benefits of government employees.
He also stressed the need to improve Brunei's human resources, setting up a programme to encourage the youth to become entrepreneurs and improving infrastructure.
Centennial Asia Advisors' Bhaskaran, meanwhile, proposed more focus in building an enabling business environment, strengthening the corporate sector and building strategies to encourage the entry of foreign direct investments.
He also pointed out the need for a human capital element that will support Brunei's economic diversification in the long term.
Vincent Cheong, chief executive officer of the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB), also delivered a presentation on Brunei's Economic Outlook through 2009.
He pointed to the challenges that were faced in developing a number of projects, citing logistics, which is one of the key factors of implementation.
Cheong also said that some of the larger government projects are being divided into too many small parts that are too insignificant to make a dent in the market and "not massive enough to be commercially viable".
The roundtable brought together some 150 stakeholders, policymakers, members of both the public and private sectors, together with experts.
Roundtable panelists included Dato Paduka Timothy Ong, acting chairman of BEDB; Pengiran Hjh Mariana PDNLDR Pengiran Hj Abdul Momin, acting permanent secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources; Dr Roger Lawrey, deputy dean of Universiti Brunei Darussalam; and Hj Shazali Dato Hj Sulaiman of the International Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Brunei Times
Oil drill: This oil rig in the Belait district is a familiar sight and a reminder of Brunei's oil wealth. Picture: Rudolf PortilloFinaz Daniel
BRUNEI-MUARA
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Wide-ranging set of reforms proposed by two experts
TWO experts who looked into the causes of the slow pace in the diversification of Brunei's economy recommended wide-ranging reforms to speed up the process.The recommendations range from rationalising the bureaucracy, including reducing the salaries and benefits of government employees, cutting red tape, improving human resources, encouraging the youth to take up entrepreneurship to improving infrastructure, building an enabling business environment, strengthening the corporate sector and easing the way for the entry of foreign investors.
The recommendations were outlined during a roundtable yesterday organised by private think tank Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS), with support from Asia Inc Forum,
at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Participants heard from Manu Bhaskaran from Singapore-based consultant Centennial Asia Advisors Pte Ltd and Dr Mark Crosby of the Melbourne Business School, the two experts brought in to look at Brunei's situation.
Speakers and experts from various industries were also present to comment on the findings.
The speakers' reports offered a platform for the participants to discuss where Brunei stands, its strengths and weaknesses as well as uncover areas of possibilities beyond that of the oil and gas industry.
Brunei "offers a sound, stable and secure economic climate to encourage foreign direct investors as well as fuel the growth of local SMEs to expand locally and internationally," said Dato Paduka Mohd Alimin Abdul Wahab, acting chairman of CSPS, in his welcoming remarks.
Brunei, he said, "has to move forward in considering our economic policy", noting oil reserves may run out in 30 years.
Old and new ideas and perspectives on areas to succeed in and how to overcome the challenges and diversify the economy were discussed during the roundtable, such as the potential the sultanate holds in becoming an international financial centre for Islamic banking, securities and insurance.
Crosby recommended for the government to consider rationalising the bureaucracy and reforming the public sector, including cutting red tape, and reducing the salaries and benefits of government employees.
He also stressed the need to improve Brunei's human resources, setting up a programme to encourage the youth to become entrepreneurs and improving infrastructure.
Centennial Asia Advisors' Bhaskaran, meanwhile, proposed more focus in building an enabling business environment, strengthening the corporate sector and building strategies to encourage the entry of foreign direct investments.
He also pointed out the need for a human capital element that will support Brunei's economic diversification in the long term.
Vincent Cheong, chief executive officer of the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB), also delivered a presentation on Brunei's Economic Outlook through 2009.
He pointed to the challenges that were faced in developing a number of projects, citing logistics, which is one of the key factors of implementation.
Cheong also said that some of the larger government projects are being divided into too many small parts that are too insignificant to make a dent in the market and "not massive enough to be commercially viable".
The roundtable brought together some 150 stakeholders, policymakers, members of both the public and private sectors, together with experts.
Roundtable panelists included Dato Paduka Timothy Ong, acting chairman of BEDB; Pengiran Hjh Mariana PDNLDR Pengiran Hj Abdul Momin, acting permanent secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources; Dr Roger Lawrey, deputy dean of Universiti Brunei Darussalam; and Hj Shazali Dato Hj Sulaiman of the International Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Brunei Times
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