James Kon
Two companies ran by local youth were given a chance to prove themselves after they were awarded with i-Usahawan contracts by the Department of Electrical Services (DES) of the Ministry of Energy yesterday in a signing ceremony at DES headquarters yesterday.
With the latest contracts, the total number of i-Usahawan contracts awarded by DES is five.
Barokah Toiyibah Enterprise and Izouco Moto Services will be providing housekeeping services for three years at DES facilities.
Signing on behalf of DES was Acting Director Muhammad Amir Sharifuddin bin Haji Ali while Barokah Toiyibah Enterprise was represented by its owner and Director Mohammad Wadood bin Haji Seruji and Izouco Moto Services was represented by its owner and Director Hairoman Izwan bin Haji Omar. The two contracts will provide employment to 12 locals.
Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra witnessed the signing as guest of honour.
As part of the training provided by i-Usahawan programme, Barokah Toiyibah Enterprise and Izouco Moto Services have attended DARe (Darussalam Enterprise) training on financial practices for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and financial education for entrepreneurs as well as a course on tender introduction by DES.
Hairoman Izwan expressed gratitude for receiving blessings from Allah the Almighty and thanked the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for receiving the i-Usahawan contract and giving opportunities for local young entrepreneurs.
“We also want to thank DES for the support given and Insya Allah, we will succeed and fulfil the project with high commitment,” he said, adding that i-Usahawan programme is a good initiative to help local youth venture into business.
Barokah Toiyibah Enterprise Assistant Manager Siti Rubiah binti Raya said, “Thanks to blessings from Allah the Almighty, we were able to be awarded with an i-Usahawan contract today. We want to thank the government and DES for giving us this opportunity. We will do our best and also contribute to the country as well as the people by providing employment to locals.“
The i-Usahawan programme is a youth entrepreneurship development programme initiated by the Ministry of Energy to support local youngsters to start, own and grow their businesses and secure their first contract with government, government linked companies (GLCs) or statutory bodies.
Launched on August 1, 2018 in conjunction with the 13th National Youth Day, the programme provides a government-led market intervention in the energy sector through the provision of business contracts and capacity building initiatives.
