BEDB mulls projects in Tutong District

The Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) yesterday addressed the possibility of stimulating job opportunities in the Tutong district via its proposed projects, in a briefing to district stakeholders.

In a presentation to attendees, the BEDB touted job opportunities through increased attraction of foreign direct investments into the agro-business and halal sectors, but neither could be confirmed as definite plans by the board.

Julian Fung, Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Head of Infrastructure Development at BEDB, said that business and eco-culture were the main areas on interest for the board in the Tutong district, and they were looking to develop these together with the Tutong district office.

"That's part of the district office's vision, because like I said, Semaun has a fish farm, Telisai has a Golden Chick hatchery ... I think that would be the next step(s)."

Fung also acknowledged that while developments in Tutong were currently being proposed with the aim of economic development and growth in the area, the focus of diversification, for BEDB, would largely remain on the Sungai Liang and Pulau Muara Besar (PMB) projects currently underway.

PMB is the country's first major deepwater port project which has been received with much anticipation by the New Muara Container Terminal Services (NMCTS), a fully-owned unit of Manila-based International Container Terminal Services Inc.

The Sungai Liang Industrial Park is another champion of the BEDB's push for forward thinking projects to assist economic diversification, with sole tenant, Brunei Methanol Company (BMC).

The establishment of a technical school was also proposed by one of the stakeholders as a means to spur the development of skilled human resources in the Tutong District.

The Brunei Times