LiveWIRE Brunei launches energy programme

LiveWIRE Brunei has launched an Energy Programme to increase the number of SMEs it supports to enter the oil and gas sector value chain.

The LiveWIRE Brunei Energy Programme will initially run as a six month pilot, commencing in April, and will involve 15 SMEs who have benefitted from the programme and are members of the LiveWIRE Brunei Business Network.

Participants of the Energy Programme must have been trading for at least six months, and typically up to three years, or over. They must be able to demonstrate an aptitude and interest in contracting within the oil and gas industry, and their business must fit within a suitable sector, such as: catering; supply and technical maintenance; and, general contracting services.

The Energy Programme will provide participants with a detailed understanding of conducting business in the sector, covering the business culture and the technical knowledge required. The programme will involve a series of workshops, mentoring sessions, and visits to enable participants to align their business offer to meet the requirements of the oil and gas sector. Those who successfully complete the six month capacity building programme should be ready to participate in the Brunei Shell Joint Venture (BSJV) tendering process and potentially become vendors in the oil and gas supply chain.

15 LiveWIRE supported enterprises have been selected for the pilot programme and the range of business activities includes: transportation, maintenance, electronics, manpower, catering, telecommunications, construction, solar energy, safety materials, civil engineering, and media services.

Speaking at the launch of the LiveWIRE Brunei Energy Programme, Hajah Rosita Haji Hassan, Chairman of LiveWIRE Brunei and Head of Supply Chain Management, Brunei Shell Petroleum, said, “The launch of the Energy Programme is a key milestone for LiveWIRE Brunei as it supports the Brunei Government’s national vision, Wawasan 2035, objective of maximising the economic spin-off from the energy industry through the development of SMEs and the creation of jobs for locals.

“The move also sees the closer integration between LiveWIRE Brunei and the BSJV supply chain in line with the objective of Shell LiveWIRE 2.0. There are a lot of opportunities for both organisations to create synergy and efficiency through shared programmes and resources.”

The launch of the Energy Programme also saw the start of the first Business Awards Clinic, which was attended by more than 60 entrepreneurs, teachers and students from various vocational and technical schools. The aim of the clinic is to increase participation and improve the business plans submitted by those who have been nominated for the 2014-2015 LiveWIRE Brunei Business Awards for the Business Start Up category. The facilitator for the workshop and senior business counsellor of LiveWIRE Brunei, Mohammad Fadhilullah Tudun Hj Hassan said the objective of the workshop is to provide participants with guidance on the production of a viable business plan as well as expansion planning for their businesses. The clinic also involves a series of talks by industry experts including Pg Sanusi Iskandar Pg Hj Ismail, Senior Manager of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam’s Corporate Banking Support Unit, and Hj Md Sabirin Hj Othman from the Public Sector and GLC Department at BIBD.