| Danial Norjidi |
THE LiveWIRE Brunei Business Awards 2017-2018 was launched yesterday, marking its 11th year running since the first Business Awards in November 2001.
Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education officiated the launch at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.
The LiveWIRE Business Awards 2017-2018 is organised specifically for young and enterprising people in Brunei Darussalam, and is designed to reward and recognise those who are outstanding in their business planning and existing business operations.
The LiveWIRE Brunei Business Awards programme is a prestigious and integral part of the LiveWIRE International Programme organised around the world, and is a fully funded social investment flagship of Brunei Shell Petroleum Co Sdn Bhd (BSP).
Each year, the awards showcase the diverse range of entrepreneurial talent of Brunei-youth businesses and selects winners that have made a strong impact in the region.
Pengiran Redzuan bin Pengiran Haji Abbas, the LiveWIRE Brunei Programme Director shared, “This year, LiveWIRE Brunei is expecting the advancement of participants who are not only enterprising but with long-term vision, sustainable goals and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
He said a variety of business entries is expected, ranging from the aspiring, to start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“Innovation in particular is expected, and highly prized; as it creates opportunities in adapting to and driving the changing market around us. It’s about moving fast and solving a business problem. It’s a new idea that adds value to people, business and society.
“It is hoped that realisation of the new vision for this year’s awards will bring greater exposure to winners,” he added.
With this, LiveWIRE Brunei has also introduced a concept that is industry-focused, where participants are required to explore business ideas in different industries that will contribute to the nation’s national interest.
The LiveWIRE Brunei Business Awards 2017-2018 are divided into Categories A (Business Plan) and B (Enterprise). Category B entries, upon meeting the criteria, will have the opportunity to join the LiveWIRE Brunei Energy Programme, designed to increase the number of SMEs it supports to enter the oil and gas sector value chain.
In addition to Categories A and B, there are also ‘LiveWIRE Brunei Special Awards’, which include: the ‘LiveWIRE Brunei Most Outstanding Award’ for the most unique, well presented, realistic, inspiring, original and practical business idea; and ‘LiveWIRE Brunei Highest Entries Award’ for the highest entries of participation from any educational institution.
Also listed under the Special Awards is the ‘LiveWIRE Brunei Exemplary Award’ for the business deemed to be: the most sustainable; has the most potential for expansion; the most progressive and innovative; and the most outstanding enterprising company.
The closing date for entries is January 8, 2018. Winners will be announced at the prize presentation awards ceremony in the first quarter of 2018.
Yesterday’s proceedings saw a welcoming speech delivered by Hajah Rosita binti Haji Hassan, the Chairperson of LiveWIRE Brunei and Supply Chain Management Projects Lead of BSP.
“LiveWIRE Brunei started in 2001 with only three major principle programmes, and 11 programmes by 2017; offering specialisation in programmes, schemes and counselling role. The LiveWIRE Business Plan Series is a predominantly popular programme as it is a vital tool for all business start-ups, the creation of a roadmap, vision and implementation.”
She shared that, to date, previous winners from the LiveWIRE Business Awards are still progressively moving towards a well-established group of young entrepreneurs. This includes various fields of specialisation in the energy industry; construction; commercial; finance and education.
“What we are hoping to see is a continuous increase in the number of young enterprising individuals, and all other various sectors of Services industries and Information Technology, as well as Tourism,” she said.
Hajah Rosita also shared with the attendees the success of one of their many LiveWIRE local participants, Adrian Tan Vui Shing, who won the Most Promising Award for Brunei in this year’s Asean Business Awards 2017 held on September 6 in Manila. This annual prestigious award is organised by the Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC) and has consistently brought the spotlight to the promising and outstanding Asean companies that have the potential of becoming global economic players.
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