FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Way to prosperity for Bruneian traders via new entry

Way to prosperity for Bruneian traders via new entry

RESIDENTS, especially the business community in Kampong Telisai and its surrounding areas, heaved a sigh of relief as the construction of an entry junction from the Telisai-Lumut Highway was completed last week.

As highlighted by the Weekend Bulletin last year, businesses in the area were badly affected due to the lack of convenient entry points into the area. 
The business community in Kampong Telisai depended a lot on nearby areas, but has seen their customers dwindle and revenues decline after the building of the new highway.
The highway has shortened the travel time between Tutong and Belait districts tremendously, but it also cost the businesses in the area a lot of their customers.
The most affected were market traders including fruit and vegetable vendors at Telisai market, where most have already moved elsewhere due to the customer shortage. Other business that bore the brunt were convenience stores, supermarkets, eateries, petrol stations and a clinic.
However, construction of new entry points has brought back cheers to the business community and now they are witnessing their businesses slowly returning to normal. During a short tour of the area on Friday, the Weekend Bulletin had a chance to talk to some of the businessmen.
Expressing relief, Haji Ali bin Mohammad Syarif, manager of Haji KK Koya and Sons Restaurant, said the construction of the entry junction to Kampong Telisai has made it more convenient for customers from nearby areas – such as the Bukit Beruang National Housing Scheme area – to reach the commercial centres of Telisai. 
The businesses also depended on commuters from Tutong, Brunei-Muara and Belait districts and for them, entry to Telisai is now easy, he added.
The Weekend Bulletin on Friday saw the restaurants in the area packed with customers.
One of the few traders left at Telisai market, Sahaidi bin Sahibul, 56, said customers have become rare nowadays, but he too is hopeful that business will return with the construction of the entry point.
During the visit, the Weekend Bulletin found that he was the only fruit vendor still standing around. In fact he was the only trader around.
“There are others, but they rarely make an appearance. Some will come late in the afternoon or at night, because there are absolutely no customers during the time. 
“Many had shifted elsewhere, like to Jerudong market and to roadside areas of Telisai-Lumut Highway,” he said.
 

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