Sarawak draws Brunei shoppers with variety and lower prices

Sarawak draws Brunei shoppers with variety and lower prices

JUNAIDI BAHRUM
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, March 30, 2009

Bruneians spent RM280m in 1.4m entries across the border in 2007

ON ABOUT 1.4 million occasions that Bruneians are said to have visited Sarawak in 2007, they collectively spent at least RM$280 million.

The amount has left the business community reeling as they themselves wonder if local spending — minus that on vehicles and electronics goods — could match that figure.

The amount spent outside Brunei Darussalam, if spent locally, could bring wonders in facilitating the government's vision of stimulating the economy as well local private sector employment if that were realistic under current circumstances.

Datuk Michael Manyin Anak Jawong, Minister of Urban Development and Tourism Sarawak, in his opening speech at the launching of the Sarawak Travel Fair, two days ago said 1.4 million Bruneian entries multiplied by an estimated amount of RM$200 (spending) was recorded in 2007. "We should say terima kasih or thank you to Bruneians for spending their money in Sarawak," he said.

However, not all were thankful. Richard, an entrepreneur, who was present at the announcement remarked that the number of Bruneians spending in Sarawak alone shows that locals prefer to shop abroad rather than within the country.

"I felt a little embarrassed by the announcement as I hoped one day, that amount would be announced by local authorities on local spending within one year. The public should also realise that excessive spending abroad can hurt our economy. Who would spend in Brunei Darussalam except for us, the locals? " he asked.

The issue of locals spending abroad has long been an issue due to the attractive exchange rate and also on the prices of goods, said Richard. "To tackle this issue, a review of import tariffs on wholesale goods during certain seasons such as school holidays or during public holidays such as Hari Raya, could be the answer. Malaysia manufactures most of its products hence the low prices while we import ours. With lower tariffs, prices can be cut," he said.

A local businessman, who only wishes to be named as Joe, remarked more tourism initiatives such as festivals, which shopkeepers can employ as a sales tactic might also be beneficial.

"Our hard work of meeting public demand could be thwarted by promotions from international competitors. Maybe, we can do similar promotions with the Tourism Board as well. Introduce more of these festivals. These will facilitate the Kenali Negara Kitani initiative. The business community will support the cause by slashing our prices in accordance with the event," he said.

The marketing initiatives taken by local authorities to boost spending in the country has so far been ineffective as the solution is in the hands of the public, said Mustapha, who runs a retail outlet.

"The grand sales are simply not enough. We need more marketing campaigns. Our exhibitions are also running out of steam. So frankly, a different approach needs to be implemented. Our reduction in prices has already been traditionally done due to the bargaining standards which has been part of the Brunei tradition," he said.

He further added that his company will definitely support events which could support and further enhance the government's initiative.

This was also supported by consumers. Jairi Ahmad, 24, said that to entice him to spend every single cent he earns locally, there must be a diverse range of goods for him to pick.

"Everything is the same here. Every shops sells similar items. Our expectations as consumers are always turned down by the high prices. In Malaysia, everything is cheap. If there is a shopping carnival such as the one held there, such as the rainforest festival, where prices of goods are also slashed by nearly half to commemorate the event, then that would be something," he said.

The issue at hand was also brought up previously by local business owners in a question and answer session between them and Hj Murni Hj Mohamed, the permanent secretary at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The presentation, organised by the French Brunei Business Association was on the National Development Plan (NDP), where business owners questioned on whether the NDP includes initiative to promote further local spending.

According to Hj Murni, the PMO and the relevant ministries are indeed looking for solutions and further awareness campaigns to enhance local spending.

However, he said, the issue of spending lies entirely in the hands of the people as they reserve the right to spend their disposable income anywhere.

The Brunei Times

Factors impeding students' research raised in meeting

Factors impeding students' research raised in meeting
Khairunnisa Ibrahim
LONDON

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

PROBLEMS in accessing resources and data on Brunei for academic work was a major issue raised at the first Brunei Postgraduate Symposium in London, United Kingdom last Saturday.

Long delays in getting responses from relevant agencies and outdated information on official websites were some factors that local students studying in the UK said impeded their research on the Sultanate.

Other research-related issues put forward at the symposium included the unavailability of Bruneian journals and publications online, and the lack of an information bank on research done on the country by local and foreign academics, which could serve as a resource for future students and help avoid redundancy in research.

About 50 people attended the symposium, which saw 10 Bruneian postgraduates sharing their research work and proposals with the audience.

Divided into three separate panels on education, national identity and public policy, the topics ranged from inclusive education, architecture and obesity to e-government and transport studies, among others.

Also featured were three top officials from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (Unissa) and Institut Teknologi Brunei (ITB), who spoke about the significance of research and how it is conducted at their respective institutions.

UBD's Vice-Chancellor Dr Hj Zulkarnain Hamzah, Dr Hj Yusop Hj Damit, the deputy rector of Unissa and ITB's Dr Hj Supry Hj Ladi in their respective keynote speeches touched several common themes: growing recognition that research can positively contribute to national development, incentives for local students and staff to undertake more research and the need for constructive application of research findings.

The symposium was an eye-opener for Siti Munawwarah Awang Tarif, who said getting a glimpse of other students' research work was informative and thought-provoking.

"Seeing other people's work and perspectives in various disciplines opened up ideas for me," said the Masters in International Health student, and hoped that the symposium would become a regular event.

Hazwan Azri, a PhD student in Chemical Engineering, agreed, but hoped future symposiums would also include research on science and technology.

Sponsored by the Brunei Students Unit and organised by representatives from the Brunei Students' Union, the one-day event was held at the Brunei Hall of the School of Oriental and Asian Studies at the University of London.

The Brunei Times

BERNAMA - Brunei, Sabah To Jointly Promote Tourism

BERNAMA - Brunei, Sabah To Jointly Promote Tourism

Limbang border to be set

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