BEDB's iconnect - issue1

8/8/2019 BEDB's iconnect - issue1

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ENERGIZING ENTREPRENEURSis so refreshing to see our local talents who want to make a

eir ventures, bring jobs and ultimately contribute to ourconomic growth. Creating a supportive climate for our entre-

hich begins by recognizing their importance and under-

anding their needs. Hence, in helping to create another envi-nment where entrepreneurship is recognized, the BEDB is

ringing the Local Enterprise Applications & ProductsLEAP) Program to the world of entrepreneurship to encour-ge local innovation and creativity, and give our entrepreneursrolling start and a base from which to expand as they push too further in their ventures.

he LEAP Program is a B$2 million grant scheme aimed at

pplications with innovative technological content, commer-

al practicality and good export potential across a broad rangef industries. Targeted at local SMEs as well as students andsearchers of higher learning institutions, each applicationith a solid business plan can obtain a grant of up to B$150,000r the purpose of developing promising product concepts into

rototypes. For more details about the LEAP Program, pleasesit www.bedb.com.bn/resource_presentations.htm

Dear Readers, welcome to the inaugural issue of iconnect !, an info e-newsletter by the BEDB whichyou will receive on a quarterly basis.

While the BEDB is committed to promoting and creating new economic developments for Brunei,we feel it is very important that our stakeholders identify with us and continue to support us along

the way. Hence, iconnect is introduced to serve as a new channel to reach out to and keep ourstakeholders informed about new developments and happenings in and around the BEDB. As we-

opment initiatives which we believe will be of great interest to many of our readers.

It is our hope that iconnect will be very useful to our readers as we navigate this important andexciting journey towards creating new economic opportunities for Brunei and making it apreferred place for doing business and investment. Please let us know your thoughts on iconnect and we welcome any suggestions you may have. Happy reading and best wishes!


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ESTABLISHMENT OF METHANOL PLANT(by Brunei MethanolCo Sdn Bhd, Japan/Brunei)

Located at SPARK (Sungai Liang Industrial Park), the US$600million methanol plant was constructed by BMC, a joint ventureetween PetroleumBRUNEI and two leading Japanese compa-

nies, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc and Itochu Corpora-

capacity of producing 850,000 metric tonnes of methanol peryear.

Brunei on 25 May 2010 in the presence of over 300 guests com-

nd gas sector as well as BMCs key stakeholders from Japan.

Meanwhile, the installation of a methanol export facility, SinglePoint Mooring, by Leighton Contractors of Malaysia was com-leted in early 2010 to serve as a loading buoy that loads the

-ty involves the installation of a 24-inch diameter, 13.4 kilometre

water depth of approximately 24 metres, and designed to

SECURING INVESTMENTS AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

REFURBISHMENT & UPGRADING OF ONG SUM PING APARTMENTS(by Bina Puri Holdings, Malaysia)

Implemented on a public private partnership basis between HisMajestys Government, the BEDB and Bina Puri, the refurbishment andupgrading of 3 unoccupied building blocks in Jalan Ong Sum Ping iscurrently underway which will see the propertys conversion intomodern and fully-furnished serviced apartments. With an investment of B$9.2 million made by Bina Puri, the upgrading works encompass bothinterior and exterior renovations including the construction of addi-tional facilities such as a swimming pool, business centre, gymnasium aswell as a playground.

A contract was signed between the BEDB and Bina Puri on 17 August2010 at the Empire Hotel & Country Club to mark Bina Puris investment,under which Bina Puri will also operate the property for a period of 20years with guaranteed annual payments to His Majestys Government.


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RANSFORMATION AND REHABILITATION OF SUNGAIAKAR RUBBISH DUMPSITE (by Jurusy Perunding,

runei)

he rehabilitation of Site A at Sungai Akar rubbish dump-te which commenced in December 2008 was completed

n November 2009. The scope of work included the land-caping activities and the construction of a leachate treat-

ment plant and wetlands.

urrently, a small section of the site (Site B) has beenllocated to serve as a temporary rubbish dumping areantil the completion of an integrated waste management

acility at Sungai Paku, which is being implemented by aingapore/Brunei Consortium, ST Marine/QAF.

he integrated facility will include the construction of an

District. Once Sungai Paku is operational, Sungai Akar wille completely closed for rubbish dumping activities and

will be developed further into a recreational park.

More updates on integrated waste management facility inhe next issue of iconnect ! ]

CONSTRUCTION OF TELISAI-LUMUT HIGH-WAY (by Surati Construction/Xing-An-Ji Engi-neering, Brunei/China)

The construction of a major 18.6km dual

Telisai to Lumut is currently underway, with

between Bandar Seri Begawan and KualaBelait as well as in the Sungai Liang area. The

scope of work includes site clearance andearthworks of approximately 7 million cubicmetres, construction of permanent surface

signs, road markings, guardrails, landscaping,

is targeted for completion by 2013.

Leachate Treatment Plant

North Wetland

Site Clearance

Location Plan

DELIVERING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS


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PILOT SCHEME TO BUILD 2000 HOUSES WITHIN 24 MONTHS IN KG PANAGA, KUALA BELAIT(by Bina Puri Holdings,Malaysia)

Built under the National Housing Scheme, the development of 2000 houses on a 180-hectare site in Kg Panaga is currently onrack. Targeted to be completed in the 2nd quarter of 2011, the development is expected to help reduce the long waiting listor houses under the Scheme. The construction includes 800 semi-detached and 1200 terrace units.

Terrace Units Semi-detached Units

Other infrastructure projects which are currently being implemented by the BEDB include the development of 4000 houses inKg Mengkubau, Mentiri by UEM Builders from Malaysia; 1500 houses in Kg Bukit Beruang, Tutong by TEE International from

ingapore; and the transformation of Brunei International Airport by Changi Airport International/AECOM, also from Singa-ore. [ More updates in the next issue of iconnect ! ]

Interior Showcase


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DEVELOPING LOCAL BUSINESSES

ESTABLISHMENT OF iCENTRE(by Akitek SAA Consortium, Brunei)

with the objective to help develop and nurture local entrepreneurs

rogram. Launched in March 2008 by HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah,

f Singapore, iCentre has to date incubated over 15 ICT companies inreas such as mobile phone content, barcode and RFID applications,s well as software and public portal development.

The iCentre is equipped with fully wired plug-and-play work spaceswhich can accommodate up to 16 full-time and 5 virtual companies

-ng rooms, a conference room, an auditorium as well as a prayeroom and a cafeteria.

ESTABLISHMENT OF KNOWLEDGE HUB(byPutera Permai Consortium, Brunei)

The Knowledge Hub, or shortly known as

building located right next to iCentre whichserves as a technology-based research anddevelopment centre.

Completed in January 2010, the K-Hub todayhouses an ICT leadership and managementtraining centre, ILM Academy, which is run by TelBru and a showcase centre managed by TechOne Global for the latest Microsoft technolo-gies.

Both tenants signed their tenancy agreementswith the BEDB at the premises on 5 May 2010.

building with part of its energy requirementsmet by solar power generation and incorporat-

motion sensors for lighting and energy savingelevators.Signing with Tech One Global Signing with TelBru


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ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCEL-X VENTURE CAPITAL FUND

n May 2009, the BEDB invested B$5 million in Accel-X Pte Ltd, aingapore-based venture capital fund with the objective to support theevelopment of promising Brunei-based high-tech companies throughccess to equity capital, extensive overseas networks as well as mentor-hip programs.

ompany to have received the funding. A signing ceremony between

enture capital funding by Accel-X to support the company in expandingeyond Brunei.

ESTABLISHMENT OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENTRESOURCES

The Youth Development Resources (YDR) is a

the BEDB in 2008 with the objective to help startsmall businesses by the young people of Brunei.

Programs run by YDR include the Youth SkillsDevelopment Program (YSDP) in partnershipwith Alcoa Inc and the Ministry of Culture, Youth& Sports; the Local Handicraft DevelopmentProgram in partnership with Petroleum GeoServices and the Village Consultative Council of Kampong Lumut I; and the Business Micro CreditScheme in partnership with Bank Islam BruneiDarussalam.

To date, YSDP, through its Micro Grant Scheme,has disbursed grants in the form of equipment to45 recipients from Pusat Pembangunan Belia and Taman Nurhidayah.

The types of businesses undertaken through this

grant scheme include bakery, tailoring, weaving,food kiosk and catering, car washing as well asair-conditioner maintenance. Other key activitiesrun by YSDP are motivational talks as well asbusiness mentorship programs. [ More updates onYouth Development Resources in the next issue of iconnect ! ]


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PERMANENT BRIDGE AT JALAN SUNGAI LIANG KECIL(by Bina Puri Holdings, Malaysia)

The construction of a permanent concrete bridge at Jalan Sungai Liang Kecil was completed in December 2009. The bridgeonstruction was aimed to provide a greater degree of comfort and safety for the road users travelling in the area.

CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM (CCP)Aligned with the BEDBs mission to provide opportunities for its people and all investors, the Corporate Citizenship Programas been created with the objective to connect BEDB contractors with the community.

GERAI TAMUNEKA(by Bina Puri Holdings, Malaysia)

The construction of Gerai Tamuneka in Mukim Liang was completed in July 2010 to replace the Gerai Wawasan previouslyocated at SPARKs main access junction. This facility consists of 27 stalls, 2 prayer rooms and 45 car parks.

Both of the above projects are an important part of Bina Puris corporate social responsibility initiative for the community of Mukim Liang.


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In particular, it was a very powerful reminder of the importance of stability as a prerequisite for economic progress.

Dato Paduka Timothy Ong, Acting Chairman of the BEDBin The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2009

With its outstanding record of political and economic stability, rich naturalesources and highly educated population, Brunei has emerged in the eyes

1st in the world for its Macroeconomic Stability(The Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011, WEF)1st in the Islamic countries for its Human Development Index(The Human Development Report 2009, UNDP)

EW BEDB BOARD MEMBERS

With the consent of His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei, the BEDB welcomes the appointment of Dr Grahaeme Henderson, Manag-ng Director of Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), and Mr Ainadin Cader, Fund Manager of Aureos-BICB, to the board of the BEDB.

Dr GrahaemeHenderson

Mr Ainadin Cader

he BEDB Board comprises nine members from government and the business community including Permanent Secretaries

r Grahaeme Henderson has led BSPs strategic direction and operations since April 2005.e has contributed to many key Brunei initiatives including road safety, the environment

onours degree and PhD in Mathematical Analysis from the University of Southampton.

Mr Ainadin Cader is the Fund Manager with Aureos-BICB, a joint venture between Aureos,leading global private equity fund manager and the Brunei Investment and Commercialank, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Brunei Investment Agency. He has extensivexperience in working with SMEs in Africa and other parts of the developing world,ncluding more recently in Brunei. Mr Cader has an Accounting background with a degreen Accounting from the University of South Africa.

or suggestions and views on iconnect and to subscribe, please email to [email protected]

Stay Connected! with us at:HE BRUNEI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARDlock 2K, Bangunan Kerajaan, Jalan Ong Sum Pingandar Seri Begawan BA1311, Brunei Darussalam

BEDB's iconnect - issue1

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