Eight Brunei entrepreneurs are taking part in their first ASEAN Plus Three Young Entrepreneurs Forum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to deliberate on the role of young and women entrepreneurs in building East Asia’s economic community from 24th to 25th August.
The delegates, coming from a diverse range of industries, are also hoping to use the opportunity to network with other young entrepreneurs from ASEAN and the plus three nations of China, Japan and South Korea, and to explore the latest economic trends and developments taking place within East Asia.
The forum, open to high potential, young entrepreneurs below 40, covers presentations and discussion on the roles of women and young entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) development, trade and economics in East Asia; and how to best provide support and give access to resources to entrepreneurs for the benefit of SMEs development and the development of the ASEAN community.
General Manager of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) company Hafriz Musa said the progressive growth of the ASEAN Plus Three economies and the makeup of the businesses within them, means that young and women entrepreneurs have a critical role to play in shaping the region’s future.
“In an increasingly connected world, opportunities like these present a platform for collaborative efforts that can improve our communities,” said Hafriz, whose company also has a publishing arm which will soon launch business magazine – B2B – that will carry a regional focus, and is being planned for distribution within Brunei and ASEAN countries.
Other delegates also said the forum provides the “perfect opportunity” for them to network and collaborate with international businesses and expand their market.
“Joining the forum will give us the opportunity to network and exchange ideas with ASEAN entrepreneurs, said Hj Syed Mohd Yassin Bin Hj Syed Anayatullah Shah, CEO of event management company BattlePro. “With networking, we can also learn new innovative means to improve projects in mind.”
Huwaida Ishaaq, the co-founder of publishing, advocacy and communications company Heartwrite Co. agreed saying, “This is a way for us to share our values and meet other people who are similarly focused on creating a better world, in their own countries, in ASEAN and beyond.”
Other participating delegates include Amalina Hj Ash’ari from IT company Newgate Plus Company, Ak Abdul Azim Pengiran Yusof of teaching app Teachmeguru, founder of furniture company specializing in bean bags Mohd Hafizal bin Hj Hassan, designer Siti Aishah Hj Jaafar of MasMariah Dressmaking and Tailoring and Yati Omar of Globex Global Logistics Sdn Bhd.
