Asean-China workshop for young entrepreneurs

THE Asean-China Young Entrepreneurs' Workshop should become a platform to encourage more participation of young entrepreneurs in the country, and in other Asean member countries, said a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The ministry's Permanent Secretary Pengiran Dato Paduka Osman Pengiran Hj Patra, was speaking at the official opening of the Asean-China Young Entrepreneurs Workshop hosted by Brunei this year.

The main objective of organising the Asean-China Young Entrepreneurs Workshop is to bring together delegates from all Asean member countries and China in laying the groundwork for the formation of an Asean-China Young Entrepreneurs' Association.

President for the Young Entrepreneurs' Association of Brunei (YEAB) Hjh Mazrina Yusof is leading Brunei Darussalam's 12-member delegation, and is also the co-chair of the closed-door Asean-China Young Entrepreneurs Workshop.

It is hoped that the formation of an Asean-China Young Entrepreneurs Association will generate greater interaction by creating smaller avenues of discussion such as an Asean-China Young Entrepreneurs Forum, young entrepreneurs' participation at the annual Asean-China expos, Chairman's Roundtable for young entrepreneurs, exchange visits and business workshops, to name a few.

It also envisions closer relations among young entrepreneurs from Asean and China, thereby leading to greater interaction of business and joint investments in the region.

Brunei is co-chairing alongside China at this year's workshop from June 18 to 20 held at the Empire Hotel and Country Club in Jerudong.

YEAB is a non-profit organisation comprising entrepreneurs below the age of 40, who are either a founder, co-founder, owner, partner, major shareholder or holding a management position in a corporation or firm registered in the sultanate.

YEAB's mission is to ensure access to a network of entrepreneurial experience and facilities to nurture a culture of enterprises. (AAB1)

The Brunei Times