James Kon
To spur growth through capability development in the local shipping ecosystem and the maritime industry as well as to help local businesses to tap into the potentials in the shipping industry, Brunei Gas Carriers Sdn Bhd (BGC) launched an in-country value (ICV) development programme BGC Ignite, yesterday.
The first-of-its-kind programme seeks to drive national aspirations for the development of maritime and shipping industry through the Brunei Darussalam Maritime Cluster (BDMC) project.
BGC deems BGC Ignite – an ICV business development programme for the shipping ecosystem – a vital necessity for the shipping ecosystem, especially in supporting the delivery of the BDMC project through developing capabilities and competencies of our local people and businesses.
Under BGCIgnite, BGC aspires to support the readiness and competitiveness of local businesses with knowledge transferred through classroom trainings, networking and forums centred on safety and industry requirements, to be industry-ready by end of 2024.
In collaboration with the Industry and business ecosystem division (IBE) at the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE), BGC invited Acting Assistant Director IBE at the MoFE Haji Mohammad Hadillah bin Haji Abdul Manaf to share insights on the BDMC project updates, while taking the opportunity to hold interactive discussions with attendees for the success of the project and Brunei’s economic development.
BGC kicked off the BGC Ignite programme addressing an aspect of the broad shipping ecosystem, which is to support the capability development of ship chandling/chandelling scope. The scope includes the provision of supplies for general stores and food for ships/vessels.
BGC Contracts and Procurement Manager Pengiran Dianawaty binti Pengiran Matzin cited a titah from 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 during the opening ceremony of the 19th Legislative Council session on March 2, where the monarch highlighted the vital role of MSMEs in strengthening the Brunei economy and believes that the local enterprises should take up the opportunity to expand overseas, and create higher value propositions for the nation.
She added that as the country is opening its maritime and shipping sector, these are opportunities that businesses can aspire to align to. With BGC Ignite, BGC hopes to spur interest for collaboration towards knowledge transfer and growth for the maritime community.
