BEDB Signs Deal To Develop SLIP
By Kartika Rahman

Bandar Seri Begawan - Sungai Liang is at the onset of crucial development as the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) signed its site preparation contract for the Sungai Liang Industrial Park (SLIP) with local contractor Galfar Pembinaan dan Perusahaan (B) Sdn Bhd yesterday at a ceremony held at The Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong.

The signing of the contract will open the first phase of BEDB's plan to develop a 271-hectare site, situated adjacent to existing upstream gas refinery facilities in Mukim Liang, into a world class industrial park. The Sungai Liang Industrial Park will play host to a number of largescale petrochemical projects as well as downstream small and-medium enterprises.

Signing on behalf of BEDB was Acting Chairman Dato Paduka Timothy Ong and for Galfar its Executive Chairman, Hj Roni Hj Rosli. It was witnessed by Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, Minister of Development.

Dato Paduka Timothy Ong in his welcoming address said advance works by Galfar will begin by mid February and is scheduled for completion in 18 months. The Methanol Plant will be the top priority and the construction of the plant will begin by mid 2007.

The Acting BEDB Chairman added that various investors have approached with proposals that are currently under discussion. Japanese and Australian investors are looking to build the world's largest Ammonia/ Urea fertiliser plant, and Malaysia has approached with a proposal for establishing a biodiesel hub.

The $500 million Methanol Plant is estimated to produce 800,000 tonnes of methanol per annum, and will throw up opportunities for the development of small and medium enterprises in spin-off industries.

A significant space has been set aside especially for spin-off industries as the derivate from methanol could be used to make various products ranging from plastic household goods, industrial strength materials, medicine, fuel and many more, explained Aziz Latip, Assistant Chief Executive Officer of BEDB during a briefing after the signing ceremony.

"Under the Site Preparation Contract, the BEDB through its contractor Galfar will clear and level the site, construct perimeter security fencing, temporary access roads, build a permanent drainage to prevent flooding at the site and create a permanent road junction to connect the existing coastal road to the new access road," he added.

Following the signing ceremony, the BEDB will be engaging the residents of Mukim Liang as well as relevant government agencies and stakeholders in a dialogue and road show that will take place at Liang Lumut Recreational Club, on February 8 and 9. This will provide a platform for the local community to learn about the industrial park, and what opportunities it will bring.

The BEDB will be joined in the dialogue session by its master planner for the Sungai Liang Industrial Park, the Halcrow Group; the park's first industrial project, the Brunei Methanol Company; and the local contractor that will be carrying out the advance works contract for site preparation, Galfar.

Over the span of this year, BEDB looks to signing the land lease with methanol companies, issue design, build, and operate (DBO) tender contracts, and award SBM contracts.

For more information on the Sungai Liang Industrial Park, visit http://www.bedb.com.bn. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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