Looks into ammonia production and biotechnology project

Bandar Seri Begawan - Several new projects initiated by Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) with Brunei are expected to help diversify the country's industrial sector and create more job opportunities for the locals and at the same time develop human resource capabilities, the company's senior executive said yesterday.

Some of the projects coming up include an ammonia production and pharmaceuticals facility on top of the existing projects on automated cultivation, sustainable agriculture and solar power feasibility.

To help manage the new projects, Mr Kazuyuki Mori, MC's Chief Operating Officer, Natural Gas Divison A, said they are expanding their Brunei operations with the opening of their new office at Takaful Building in Jalan Pemancha in the capital.

Mr Kazuyuki in an interview yesterday said that it is part of the Japanese trading giant's corporate mission to contribute to the local community wherever they do business. The company, he said, aligns its goals in sync with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's vision for Brunei's future, including industrial diversification, economic sustainability, creation of employment and human resource development.

Mr Kazuyuki said MC, working with Brunei for many years in the core oil and gas sector here: is continuously seeking for more opportunities outside this sector. A feasibility study is expected to be ready by year end on the development of ammonia production in Pulau Muara Besar.

Working closely with the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) in this project, he said there are many opportunities that Brunei can tap into from the ammonia production, which also complements the gas industry, particularly in methanol and urea production.

"This will not just benefit the domestic sector but will be a large export business, which will spur economic growth here and subsequently increase employment opportunities for Bruneians. This will also provide opportunities for young and rising l3runeians to attain expert skills and techniques," he said.

Another upcoming project is the venture of advanced microalgae biotechnology for pharmaceutical use, which just kick-started with a feasibility study. He said this venture, if it materialises, will supply for the food, supplements and healthcare industry

"We are still in the R&D process right now and once we are convinced that Brunei is the best place to run this business based on the results, we will decide if we can proceed further and make sure it is aligned with Brunei's needs."

He also gave updates on the existing Solar Power Tenaga Suria Brunei project' with the Energy Department at the Prime Minister's Office. He said the outcome of the study will be ready by October next year. "We still need to find out the most suitable solar panel to use specifically with Brunei's climate. We are in the process of gathering data."