BRUNEI-MUARA – Brunei Gas Carriers (BGC) is offering three contracts to local SMEs through i-Usahawan, an entrepreneurship development initiative aimed at supporting new Bruneian businesses.
This was announced during a dialogue session held on Friday at the BGC Office in Jerudong, attended by over 70 local entrepreneurs.
The contracts cover three areas: office cleaning services, event management, and transportation services. Those who are successful will be awarded a three-year contract with potential extensions.
“To be awarded with contracts, vendors should be commercially and technically competitive. They must also demonstrate commitment towards safety and business integrity at all times,” said Pg Dianawaty Pg Hj Matzin, BGC’s Contracts and Procurement manager.
In an interview with media, she explained that even though only three companies will be awarded contracts, the participation SMEs in the tendering process is vital towards their growth.
Although the contracts offered are for “supplementary services” not specifically related to oil and gas, Pg Dianawaty said that the training provided prior to the award will allow participants to understand and develop the competency required by the industry.
“The program intends to deliver these prerequisites, so vendors will then be better equipped to offer quality services not just for BGC but for other operators in the industry.”
“In one of our [training] modules, we teach how to prepare tender submissions, how to comply with health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements industry, including an introduction to BLNG shipping,” she added.
BGC plans to issue an invitation for Expression of Interest (EoI) to vendors who meet the i-Usahawan criteria on August 18. Awards for these tenders is planned in the first quarter of 2019.
Companies that are awarded the contracts will continue training under BGC, guided by experienced mentors for the duration of the contract.
i-Usahawan, an initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry in collaboration with the Brunei Shell Joint Venture (BSJV) companies, is aimed at indigenous (rakyat jati) business owners aged 21 and 40.
The programme is for local SMEs who have yet to win tenders with government-linked companies and statutory bodies, and is aimed at encouraging SMEs to penetrate the regional and international markets.