Hi-Tech Lens Plant For Brunei
By Azrol Azmi

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei's diversification plans are right on track as the country is on a fast track to open up industries to soften its dependence on oil and gas.

Yesterday, IDBB Management and Services Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the Islamic Development Bank of Brunei Berhad (IDBB), and Unitop Hitech Lens Sdn Bhd put pen to paper in a historic Al Musyarakah (partnership) Agreement for %he development of the first hi-tech lens manufacturing plant for spectacle lenses in Brunei Darussalam.

Present to witness the signing ceremony at the Empire Hotel and Country Club was YB Pehin Dato Dr. Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Jumat, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources.

The agreement was signed by Pengiran Datin Hajah Urai binti Pengiran Ali, Managing Director of the IDBB Management and Services Sdn Bhd, and signing on behalf of Unitop Hitech Lens Sdn Bhd were Dato Haji Mohd Alimin bin Haji Abdul Wahab, Rubyanto A. Hamidjojo and Kim Kwae Jung, shareholders of the Unitop Hitech Lens Sdn Bhd.

Pengiran Datin Hajah Urai said the manufacturing plant is the first of its kind to be set up in Brunei and it will also be the first to be involving an IDBB subsidiary which is the IDBB Management and Services Sdn Bhd.

The industry will provide job opportunities and expertise for at least 300 Bruneians and Permanent Residents.

The project will also be supplemented by a syndicated finance facility from IDBB and IBB.

Unitop Hitech Lens Sdn Bhd has been allotted more than two hectres of industrial site by BINA at Lambak Kanan (East) for the factory.

It was noted that the factory would initially produce 400,000 pairs of hi-tech lens per month with Korean technology.

She said these hi-tech lenses would be exported to Asean countries, India, China, Japan, Middle East and Europe it will provide further business opportunities such as in packaging, freight forwarding and shipping, directly or indirectly relating to export or import.

Chairman of Unitop Hitech Lens Sdn Bhd, Dato Haji Mohd Alimin said that he was delighted for the first hi-tech lens manufacturing plant in Brunei. Unitop Hitech Lens will be able to assist the government's call to attract foreign direct investment and promote diversification of the country's economy.

He said with assistance and guidance from Wookwang Chemicals Co. Ltd of South Korea, locals would be trained at various levels to gain technical expertise.

He also added that the $28 million hi-tech lens plant sees the prospect of offering employment to paraplegic members of the community.

He also said that there are some activities going on at the factory site in Salambigar and soon the perimeter fence would be erected.

The project is expected to be completed in 18 months time, added Dato Haji Mohd Alimin.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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