Shell LiveWIRE Brunei and the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) have partnered together to launch the LiveWIRE AgroBiz Padi Agropreneur (AgroBiz) programme. This new programme which is fully sponsored by Brunei Shell Petroleum’s (BSP) Social Investment will provide training opportunities for Brunei entrepreneurs focused on agriculture and help the Brunei government achieve its goal of improving domestic rice production to 30% by 2025.

In a welcoming remark by the Managing Director, Dr Ceri M. Powell noted that BSP is excited on the opportunity to collaborate with the Ministry of Education again, building on the successful partnership that already existed.

“We are committed in developing local businesses within Brunei and enhancing their capabilities, capacity and skills with a view to contributing to the national strategy on food security and making agriculture and entrepreneurship more competitive.”

Shell LiveWIRE Brunei and IBTE formalized this partnership with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony at IBTE’s Agro-Technology Campus in Kg Wasan. This event brought together Brunei Deputy Minister of Education Yang Mulia Datin Seri Paduka Dr. Hajah Romaizah Binti Haji Mohd Salleh as well as representatives from the Brunei government, BSP, and ASEAN member countries.

AgroBiz participants will undergo a year-long course at IBTE and will receive support from Shell LiveWIRE Brunei and IBTE, including coaching and networking opportunities. They will also get to learn from leading experts on a range of topics, including entrepreneurship and commercial farm management. During the annual October planting cycle, the agropreneurs will be given the opportunity to practically test their solutions in the field under the supervision of experience agriculture mentors appointed by LiveWIRE.

Once they complete the programme, AgroBiz participants will also be invited to join the LiveWIRE Business Award Start-Up Funding Scheme (BasFs), which provides seed funding to help early stage entrepreneurs grow their businesses.