BY Rokiah Mahmud

Three companies under the i-Usahawan programme – Munch Brunch Canteen HANR Sdn Bhd, and DMOS Technologies – participated in an exhibition in conjunction with the 17th National Youth Day celebration at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas on Tuesday.

The companies showcased their entrepreneurial journeys and successes in diverse business activities or contracts they acquired in energy and non-energy sectors since they joined the programme.

The exhibition is aligned with the Sustainable Development cluster, which aims to showcase the resilience and commitment of youth entrepreneurs in developing their capabilities and eagerness to venture into new, and more complex part of the industry.

Since its inception in 2018, 39 contracts in the energy sector have been identified for the programme with 22 contracts awarded to 31 youth entrepreneurs.

It has since offered employment opportunities to 365 locals.

Meanwhile, for the non-energy sector, 47 contracts from six clients have been identified.

Both the Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) are actively collaborating to ensure more opportunities are available to encourage the development of youth entrepreneurship in the Sultanate.

The programme has contributed to nation building through its entrepreneurship activities.

In an interview with the Bulletin, Munch Brunch Canteen owner Hajah Haryanie binti Haji Bujang said her company provides cleaning and related services to Brunei Gas Carriers Sdn Bhd (BGC).

She shared that among the advantages of being a part of i-Usahawan programme is the opportunity for her company to reach out to more customers.

“The programme helps in terms of sales, leadership development and how to manage staff in a more organised manner,” Hajah Haryanie said.

She also advised youth who want to venture into entrepreneurship to put in the effort, commitment and persistence to succeed.

Hajah Haryanie also shared that since their participation in 2019, one of most significant milestones is the provision of office cleaning for non-hydrocarbon assets at Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP). She currently has over 90 local employees.

DMOS Technologies General Manager Dzaidenny bin Muslim, in an interview, said the company is fully owned and operated by locals.

The company has progressed since they signed up with the i-Usahawan programme in 2019, from owning eight fleet size of multi-functional printers (MFPs) to over 40 MFPs supplying to a number of clients including the Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam Central Bank, BGC, Narcotic Control Bureau and Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

The company has been awarded with an i-Usahawan contract until 2024 and has six employees.

“The programme has provided the company with credibility. I hope that by next year, there will be more opportunities to serve the ‘Managed Print Services’ market through Brunei Shell, Jerudong Park Medical Centre and Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre,” said Dzaidenny.

Meanwhile, HANR Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Hairulalimin bin Ramli shared that the programme has assisted his company in securing more projects, with their second project secured within six months into joining i-Usahawan.

Meanwhile, also participating in the exhibition is youth-driven oil and gas company, OVB Sdn Bhd. The company has shown success in various support services in the industry. It recently secured a contract to provide centralisers, floats and accessories to BSP. The company aims to maximise local employment and local content contributions.

The i-Usahawan programme is a government-led initiative, introduced by the Department of Energy at the PMO.

Its main objective is to support youth entrepreneurs to start, own and grow their businesses and secure their first contract with the government, government-link companies (GLCs) or statutory bodies in the energy sector.

It was launched on August 1, 2018 in conjunction with the 13th National Youth Day and provides a government-led market intervention in the energy sector through the provision of business contracts and capacity building initiatives as well as opening up the contribution to the country’s economic activities.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin