Cooperatives urged to expand business alliances
Thursday, May 24, 2007
COOPERATIVES were called to capitalise on Brunei's solid reputation as an Islamic nation and participate in the lucrative halal industry. They were also encouraged to forge alliances with other cooperatives and seek services of business experts.
Dr Mona Kassim, a UBD lecturer, made the call in a forum centred on promoting cooperative involvement during the Second National Cooperative Seminar yesterday.
She also encouraged them to form strategic alliances, not just through partnering with other cooperatives, joint ventures and mergers, but also by commissioning and engaging the services of foreign experts in their business operations.
Joining Dr Mona in the forum, which was moderated by Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah were four other panelists who were experts on the cooperative movement and on entrepreneurship.
Participants of the seminar also heard from panelist Mohd Suwarno, a Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) Official, on how they can become successful entrepreneurs.
BSP, one of the biggest companies in the country, has been actively involved in helping small and medium entreprises to develop.
Mohd Suwarno said that three attributes have been found to contribute to entrepreneurial success: commercial and financial skills; technical skills; and taking into consideration health, safety and environment issues.
Elaborating on the third attribute, he explained, "As providers of services or goods, (the entrepreneur) must make sure that the delivery is done in a safe manner".
He also cited the ability to see five to 10 years in the future as a factor for success. In addition, "(enterprises) should be able to help themselves before they can be helped."
Another panelist, Hj Razali Hj Johari, president of the Brunei Malay Chamber of Commerce, said that enterprises should have comprehensive planning and discipline, and be responsive to the surrounding circumstances and environment as well as needs of the clients.
"Entrepreneurs should also be mature, smart and professional in conducting business," Hj Razali added.
Meanwhile, an invited speaker from Malaysia, Raja Maimun, observed that since her last visit to the country more than 10 years ago, there is a lower rate of active cooperatives. One possible reason for this, she said, is that most members do not fully grasp the concept of a cooperative.
"Educate your members so that they can fully understand the concept and thus better contribute to the cooperative."
Gender issues were also raised in the forum, with the focus on lack of women's involvement in cooperatives, particularly in senior positions and in the board of directors.
Another invited speaker from Malaysia, Hjh Armi, spoke of the scarcity of women in cooperatives even in her homeland.
She exhorted women in Brunei to play a more active role and for cooperatives to take them in as their participation can contribute greatly to the cooperatives' operations.
The Brunei Times
Dr Mona Kassim, a UBD lecturer, made the call in a forum centred on promoting cooperative involvement during the Second National Cooperative Seminar yesterday.
She also encouraged them to form strategic alliances, not just through partnering with other cooperatives, joint ventures and mergers, but also by commissioning and engaging the services of foreign experts in their business operations.
Joining Dr Mona in the forum, which was moderated by Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah were four other panelists who were experts on the cooperative movement and on entrepreneurship.
Participants of the seminar also heard from panelist Mohd Suwarno, a Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) Official, on how they can become successful entrepreneurs.
BSP, one of the biggest companies in the country, has been actively involved in helping small and medium entreprises to develop.
Mohd Suwarno said that three attributes have been found to contribute to entrepreneurial success: commercial and financial skills; technical skills; and taking into consideration health, safety and environment issues.
Elaborating on the third attribute, he explained, "As providers of services or goods, (the entrepreneur) must make sure that the delivery is done in a safe manner".
He also cited the ability to see five to 10 years in the future as a factor for success. In addition, "(enterprises) should be able to help themselves before they can be helped."
Another panelist, Hj Razali Hj Johari, president of the Brunei Malay Chamber of Commerce, said that enterprises should have comprehensive planning and discipline, and be responsive to the surrounding circumstances and environment as well as needs of the clients.
"Entrepreneurs should also be mature, smart and professional in conducting business," Hj Razali added.
Meanwhile, an invited speaker from Malaysia, Raja Maimun, observed that since her last visit to the country more than 10 years ago, there is a lower rate of active cooperatives. One possible reason for this, she said, is that most members do not fully grasp the concept of a cooperative.
"Educate your members so that they can fully understand the concept and thus better contribute to the cooperative."
Gender issues were also raised in the forum, with the focus on lack of women's involvement in cooperatives, particularly in senior positions and in the board of directors.
Another invited speaker from Malaysia, Hjh Armi, spoke of the scarcity of women in cooperatives even in her homeland.
She exhorted women in Brunei to play a more active role and for cooperatives to take them in as their participation can contribute greatly to the cooperatives' operations.
The Brunei Times
Business Besides Oil
