The Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE) said the census will cover about 8,000 registered companies to gather detailed confirmation on their businesses.

In a press conference yesterday, Acting Director-General of JPKE Abd Amin Hashim said the census aims to collect comprehensive and latest information pertaining to the growth, contribution, composition and distribution of the economic activities undertaken by business enterprises.

The census will cover all active registered businesses in the country, whether it is proprietorship, partnership, branch of a foreign company, private limited company and others, such as cooperatives and non-profit institutions.

Registered businesses that have yet to start or did not undertake any economic activities during the year are also required to fill in and return the questionnaire.

“Our primary source for sending the questionnaire is from the Registrar of Companies and Business Names, however we acknowledge that some businesses that have registered may not have started yet. In this case, they only have to fill in the relevant parts as we do want information as to why they haven’t started,” said JPKE Acting Director of Statistics Mariah Yahya.

The department added that the data will be used in the compilation of the national accounts statistics, particularly for the calculation of the gross domestic product (GDP) to determine the latest contribution of the private sector to the country’s economic growth.

Results will also be able to assist the government in development planning and formulating policies, said the acting director-general.

He also said the results may also be used by the private sector in planning and developing their respective business activities and strategies.

According to JPKE, the questionnaire and guide for completing the questionnaire will be distributed by post, e-mail or delivered by appointed census officers.

The questionnaire and guide can also be downloaded from JPKE’s website. The closing date for returning the completed questionnaire to JPKE is June 30, by post, fax, e-mail or submitted directly to JPKE.

JPKE also ask for cooperation from all companies in providing the most accurate information as possible, so that the results of the census can give an accurate picture of the country’s economic situation.

Responses from the business enterprises will be treated as confidential in accordance with the Statistics Act, Chapter 81 from the Laws of Brunei Darussalam. The information will be used for statistical purposes only, said JPKE.