Bandar Seri Begawan - The Brunei Shell Joint Venture companies (BSJV) will be organising the sixth annual Vendor Forum to create an annual platform for vendors, the BSJV companies and government agencies to meet and initiate new business contacts, share ideas, as well as communicate new initiatives or specific business opportunities on an industrywide scale, a press release stated.

Themed 'Job Creation and Local Content Development within the Brunei Oil and Gas Industry', the event is set to take place on Tuesday, November 13 at the BRIDEX International Conference Centre in Jerudong, where it is hoped to build up local businesses and create more quality employment opportunities to achieve the country's aspirations in its 'Vision 2035' by further stimulating the dynamic energy industry 'market, supporting the advancement of local small and medium enterprises and developing a competent and competitive Bruneian workforce.

The Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awg Hj Mohd Yasmin bin Hj Umar is expected to officiate the event and address the forum during the opening ceremony in the morning.

As the host of the event, the Managing Director of Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP), Mr Ken Marnoch, will also be focusing on the nuts and bolts of the core issues - 'What, as an industry, can it do more to help local SMEs succeed in this business?'

There will also be a bilingual presentation on the latest developments regarding the theme of this year's forum by Hj Kamaludin Hj Bungsu, Head of BSP's Human Resources Department.

Twenty-one booths will occupy the centrepiece of the BRIDEX International Conference Centre that will include the debut of Universiti Brunei Darussalam and the Institut Teknologi Brunei as new participants in this year's forum, as well as leading financial institutions, which will cover the SME development during the event.

Just like the Oil and Gas Job Fair recently, the BSJV booths will combine Brunei Shell Petroleum Company's, BLNG and BSM's activities and opportunities, which will be presented by market segment rather than individual BSP work streams, with separate BLNG and BSM booths displaying the logistical, engineering and construction aspects of the business. Another first, for the convenience of guests and vendors alike will be the set-up of a dedicated 'coffee area' with which to network over.

In addition, there will also be focus sessions in the afternoon, which will concentrate 'on improvements areas. Due to huge positive feedback from the previous forum,. three more topics will be included this year making it five sessions in total, with more government participation that will begin with Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE), entitled `Introducing The Work Order' that will be delivered by BSP's Head of HSE Department, Hj Idris Hj Jaafar and Head of HSE at the Energy Department, Prime Minister's Office (EDPMO), Mr Steve England. This will be followed by a session on Business Integrity with 'Honest Business means Good Business', which will be presented by Hjh Rosmawatty Abd Mumin, BSP's Asset Director and Hj Mohd Juanda Hj Abd Rashid, Head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Meanwhile, 'Competence Building' for the Job Creation session will be led by BSP's Deputy Managing Director, Hj Salleh Bostaman Hj Zainal Abidin whilst the session on Local Business Directives 1 and 2, specifically 'What It Means In Practice and The Consequences of Non-Compliance', will be presented by the Permanent Secretary (Downstream and Power) at the EDPMO, Hj Jamain Hj Julaihi and BSP's Financial Director, Mr Georges Menane.

The final session will focus on Cultivating SMEs through 'Entrepreneurs, Development Initiatives and Support for Business Growth' that will be presented by Sheikh Rashid Salam, BEDB's Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Head of Local enterprise Development Division.

With the maximum number of participants set for 16 for all of the focus sessions, which will comprise three BSJV staff and one representative per company or vendor, invited guests and vendors must pre-register online to ensure their spaces for their preferred focus session.

E-invites would be sent to invited guests and BSJV registered vendors that have their current business info updated in BSP's Vendor Online Registration System. Invited guests would then need to RSVP via the BSP homepage, which would then direct them to the online registration system. The closing date of the registration is November 3.

Members of the public can also register via the online registration as advertised in the local media and on BSP's homepage. Confirmation of their bookings will be notified when nametags are collected - one week prior to the event either at the venue or from the marketing vendor office.

The opening ceremony and morning event schedule is specifically intended for invited guests only, while the 2012 BSJV Vendor Forum will only officially open for the public from 1pm till 3.30pm, during which time the public is welcome to tour the booths.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin