Narissa Noor (Borneo Bulletin) 25/07/2009

LOCAL businesses had braced themselves for the worst amidst the gloom of the global economic downturn that has hit developed economies hard. However, in spite of worldwide financial concerns the Brunei economy was left relatively unscathed with no hint of decreased consumer spending.

This, however, did not spare the country from the adverse economic effects of HIN1. The swiftness of the infection and the fear that has inevitably overcome consumers in the country took unsuspecting local businesses by surprise as their numbers continue to suffer.

Numerous shops and restaurants across the country have voiced these concerns as they have noticed the rather discernible drop in the number of patrons.

The numbers, or lack there of, is especially marked during the weekends — a time which usually leave popular commercial areas practically impossible to enter.

Last Sunday alone, the usually much-sought-after parking space within the Gadong commercial area was in abundance — an uncommon sight in that area.

Restaurant owners, meanwhile, are especially worried about the upcoming month of Ramadhan.

Usually it is around this time when restaurants are trying to generate income in preparation for the coming holy month of Ramadhan. This income will be used extensively to buy stocks and supplies that are used extensively during the Ramadhan period.

Other restaurant owners are preparing to see the worst as they expect that Muslims would not want to break their fast in their packed establishments for fear of the virus.

Lim, a restaurant supervisor in Kiulap, is already missing his regular customers.

“Normally people come with their families on Sundays,” he lamented. “We all thought the economic recession would get to us but instead it’s the H1N1 pandemic.”

Hj Ishak, another restaurant owner agrees that times are hard right now for businesses like theirs.
“We probably have to rethink what our next step is if we don’t see any changes in the pandemic,” he revealed.

For other business owners, they cannot do much with the current situation.

One of the shoppers, Hjh Salbiah, interviewed last Sunday said that it is not the panic that is causing this downturn but more of concerns and awareness.

She said that people still go out but would just get what they need and then go home. “There is no time for window shopping or stroll into a shop or two,” she explains.

Masri, a government civil servant, also agrees with this view. “I normally bring my family out on Sundays but now it’s only me and the wife. The children are staying at home and we just want to buy our household items,” he added.

Despite the whole downturn, businesses are still hoping to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
“We just have to sit and wait and hope that it will change soon,” said one shop owner.

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