BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

YOUTH who operate businesses through social networking sites should use them as a stepping stone towards establishing long-term sustainable and profitable enterprises.

BSB Youth Centre’s Head of Youth Entrepreneurship and International Relations Ak Kamal Ghadafi Pg Hj Suhaimi said many Bruneian youth are currently operating food businesses, particularly through Facebook and Instagram.

He told The Brunei Times it is good to see many heeding the call of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the government for the youth to get into entrepreneurship.

However, Ak Kamal said the youth should look to sustain in the long-term their entrepreneurial ventures.

“Using these social networking sites should be as a marketing tool. If they want to look into their business being sustainable and running for the long-term, then having a physical shop is better so they can be there to promote their goods and services, and consumers can see the products,” he said.

Also, Ak Kamal said because these social networking sites are not from Brunei, there is the risk that any of them can close down at any time.

“It is always an advantage for the entrepreneur to have his or her own shop so people can be connected to their products. One disadvantage of running a business through the social networking sites is that consumers do not get to see the actual product. The real product can differ from the actual pictures posted up,” he said.

Ak Kamal runs a series of programmes on youth development at the Youth Centre in the capital, and said he is currently in the process of formulating proposals to continue helping youth in areas like entrepreneurship.

“My target is to train the youth on being able to think outside the box when it comes to setting up and operating a sustainable business, such as being innovative,” he said.

He said while many youth are getting involved with small businesses nowadays, thinking about what is next and making sure one has sustainable income is important.

Earlier in February, Ak Kamal said a new Entrepreneurship and International Relations Club is being started by the Bandar Seri Begawan Youth Centre under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, to encourage youth to network and share ideas on business and nation building.

“The idea behind the club is to be able to get closer to the youth. (and) help create an environment where (the youth) can feel comfortable and be able to network and talk with each other about their ideas,” he said in a previous interview.

The club also aims to expose aspiring entrepreneurs to activities outside of Brunei.

The Brunei Times