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1 Jul 2010 |
| Brunei entrepreneurs honoured |
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NINETEEN entrepreneurs, a company and a business mentoring programme were honoured yesterday for their accomplishments at the Asia-Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA) 2010.
The 21 recipients were adjudged to be the most successful entrepreneurs and most responsible companies in Brunei.
The recipients received their awards from the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, who was the guest of honour.
Winners of the Outstanding Entrepreneur Category include Haslina Taib of BAG Networks Sdn Bhd, Danny Chua from Brunei Transporting Company, Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Razak Hj Muhammad of CIC Environmental Services Sdn Bhd, Hj Mahmud Hj Mohamed of Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd, Francis Lau Choo Yew of LYC Development Sdn Bhd, Mohamed Zackiriah Nazeer Ahamed of Nazmi Textile Mall, Hj Hambali Awg Tengah of Perusahaan Al-Mizan, Wong Nyen Fook of Supercrete Sdn Bhd, Jeremy Tan Kai Teck of TLT Enterprise and Ambrose Nathan of G4S Security Services Sdn Bhd.
Haslina in an interview with The Brunei Times, said, "I feel like I don't actually deserve it as there are many more SMEs out there, and a lot of bigger enterprises that should really be recognised. Time will actually capture some of them, and I hope they will get the chance to win some of them. The best thing about this award is that with everyone winning it, then you get the business community together and I think that's the most important thing."
She added, "I realised that the benefits are not just for us, but it's also for the community. Being able to actually get the network, businesses to be networked as such and get recognised. This event feels Grammy award-like but with substance, where businesses actually saying congratulations to each other. It's very genuine, and it builds a network, builds a business community," she added.
Mohamed Zackiriah Nazeer Ahamed of Nazmi Textile Mall expressed his appreciation for being awarded this year's Outstanding Entrepreneur.
"I'm grateful to say that the organisers have chosen the right entrepreneurs from Brunei. It's my pleasure also. My thanks to His Majesty and His Government who have supported me with the progress of my business. And also thanks to my loyal customers who have given me their continuous support for the past 20 years. My intention (was) always from the beginning (to be) hardworking and loyal with my customers," he added.
Recipient of the Most Promising Entrepreneur Category included Lim Biaw Kwei of A-Fontane Company, Hjh Rafiah Hj Momin of HRD Services, Hj Awg Hj Mohd Daud of HAHD Engineering & Associates, Norhana Hj Abdullah of Primeart Sdn Bhd, Richard Tsia Boon Hua of Schindler Liftec Sdn Bhd, Jessie Chin Lee Jin of Tchung Real Estate and Chiong Siong Khai of Teca (B) Sdn Bhd.
Hjh Khadijah Hj Mohamed, managing director of Megamas Training Company Sdn Bhd, was named Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, while 34-year-old Hj Mohamed Rahimin of Rafiqun IT Services was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Hj Mohamad Rahimin, said, "I still consider myself an infant in the business world. This is only the beginning. At the end of the day, I've got a long road ahead, a lot of obstacles to go through ... I hope this award will aspire me and the people I work with to do better. There's a lot of things we need to do, whether from the financial aspect, human resource aspect, marketing aspect."
He added, "I didn't win this alone. Definitely the people I've worked with have helped me a lot. I always value teamwork. It's a very important core value in our business. I believe that if you work with the right people together, the success rate is much better, and we must have a compromise attitude and be good listeners, be good motivators and take credit when it's due and face the problems together. Those are the things I've learned over the past few years."
The event was followed by the Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Award which recognises and honours Asian Businesses for championing sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship.
Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd won the Community Engagement category of the Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards for its commitment to supporting the local community, through programmes such as the "Tell-A-Friend" road safety campaign, "Earth Hour" participation and "Into the Field" education experience for engineering students.
The Investment in People Award was bagged by LiveWIRE Brunei for grooming and mentoring future and current entrepreneurs through various educational and support programmes, including the "Become a Successful Owner Manager" programme.
LiveWIRE Brunei Programme Director Pg Redzuan Pg Hj Abbas said, "It's great that at least now there are some people who finally recognise what we've done, though despite the fact that we are not really motivated to get people to recognise us. I think I've spent a lot of time formulating to get the young people to get into the business mindset, and hope to see maybe in five or 10 years time that they are the people who will actually be the products of what we have done."
Organised by Enterprise Asia, APEA started as an initiative to identify and recognise outstanding entrepreneurship.
It was also aimed to enhance awareness on the importance of entrepreneurship and in turn, stimulate the growth of local and regional brands and enterprises.
William Ng, president of Enterprise Asia, said, "Since our formation, we have championed the two pillars of our existence: Investment in People and Responsible Entrepreneurship. As such, it is heartening to note that this year's winners are not just outstanding entrepreneurs on their own right, but are true believers of the need to ensure business continuity through investment in human capital and responsible entrepreneurship."
He said that the entrepreneurs and businesses that have been recognised were the torchbearers of the Brunei entrepreneurial scene who will shine the path for many upcoming entrepreneurs.
"We hope that the recognition bestowed on our winners tonight sends out a message of encouragement to all those who have built, or are in the process of building successful enterprises," he added.
Over 400 guests turned up at the Gala Dinner and Award Night held at The Empire Hotel & Country Club yesterday. The Brunei Times |
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