WHILE many young entrepreneurs today opt for businesses that meets the needs of modern day society, 26-year-old Hamimah Abdullah decided to try her hand on traditional weaving and preserve the centuries-old local tradition.

Together with her aunt Hjh Halimah Hj Ahmad, who is a weaving artisan, she started her home-based business under the name Tamimah Enterprise, and has been in business for over four years producing Jongsarat and Sinjang for her customers.

The venture was made possible through a microgrant scheme from the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) under its Youth Skills Development Programme, in which Hamimah participated during her time in the Youth Development Centre (YDC) in 2008.

Hamimah was one of the earliest participants of the programme, during which she received a grant worth $2,000 to bear the cost of setting up a complete weaving equipment, called a weaving house, at her home in Kg Burung Pingai Berakas.

She was also given a second microgrant the following year for the purchase of additional necessary materials for her production.

BEDB identified Hamimah as one of the few participants of the programme whose business has shown progress, having been able to sustain the business well after the end of the programme's two-year supervision.

Unlike the majority of the programme's participants that have launched food, catering and hairstyling businesses, Hamimah saw an opportunity in the traditional weaving business through her mother, who is also a weaver of traditional attire in her lifetime.

"I grew up observing my mother's work for many years, and when I was finally given the opportunity from the BEDB to start my own small business, I thought that this was a good place to start," she said, in an exclusive interview with The Brunei Times.

Though Hamimah primarily handles her business's finances, marketing and takes orders from her customers, the day-to-day weaving of the products are in the hands of her aunt.

Being in the art for more than 40 years but inactive due to her career in the government sector, Hjh Halimah came out of retirement from her job in the recent years to return to her passion in weaving by collaborating with her niece.

Hamimah said that her interest and curiousity also drove her to learn the art of weaving through her aunt. Over the years, their creation of the Jongsarat and Sinjang have been highly sought after for weddings and during Hari Raya Aidilfitri season.

She has been able to make a decent living through the business in addition to her day job at the government sector.

"I've learned to eventually love running the business after it generated a good stream of revenue. It was something I never thought of doing before I enrolled in the YSDP programme," she said.

Looking ahead, Hamimah hopes to expand her operations while she still remain at home.

"Working at home is far more convenient and economical than renting a shop or facility. For weaving businesses, you can construct an extension to your home which will be mainly used for weaving operations," she said.

Already in its third consecutive year, the Youth Skills Development Programme (YSDP) seeks to help the youth build the necessary confidence and skills to join the private sector or run a small business.

Its microgrant scheme gives out up to $2,000 in grants to qualified participants, which is primarily used to purchase the necessary equipment as capital.

To date, 69 micro businesses have been established, with the micro entrepreneurs being involved in various home-based businesses, including food catering, hair styling, weaving, tailoring and baking. The Brunei Times