His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Monday consented to lay the foundation for Brunei Darussalam’s Methanol Company’s Plant Complex. The ceremony took place at the plant’s site in Mukim Liang, Belait District.
On arrival, His Royal Highness was greeted by the Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Yahya, the Chairman of the Sungai Liang Industrial Park Authority, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Kerma Raja Pengiran Haji Kamarulzaman, the Chairman of the Brunei Methanol Company, Mr. Kuniaki Ageishi and the Chief Executive Officer of BMC, Mr. Kinya Tsuji and the Belait District Officer, Awang Haji Mohammad bin Haji Abdul Rahman.
A welcoming speech was delivered by the Chairman of the Sungai Liang Industrial Park Authority, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Kerma Raja Pengiran Haji Kamarulzaman. Delivering another welcoming speech was the Chief Executive Officer of BMC, Mr. Kinya Tsuji. He said the Methanol Project is the first natural gas chemical plant in the industrial history of the nation and the first major industrial collaboration between Brunei and Japan. When it starts operation, it will contribute towards the positive enhancement of the country’s social and economic landscape.
His Royal Highness then consented to lay the foundation for the Plant complex of the Brunei Darussalam Methanol Company. His Royal Highness also consented to view an exhibition on BMC’s development and activities. Brunei Methanol Company Sendirian Berhad is a joint venture company established by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc, Brunei National Petroleum Company Sendirian Berhad (Petroleum Brunei) and ITOCHU Corporation (ITC). The methanol plant is operated on a 16-hectare piece of land in Sungai Liang Industrial Park.
160 locals to be employed as direct hire by BMC by end of next year
The Brunei Methanol Company will begin its operation in the second quarter of 2010 and produce methanol products. Everyday products will include plastic bottles, synthetic tyres, industrial pipes, plywood, medicine and health products. As a new company, it will provide employment opportunities especially to local job seekers.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Brunei Darussalam Methanol Company, Mr. Kinya Tsuji said, BMC will employ 160 local employers as direct hire by the end of next year. BMC will target to fill 90 percent of the company’s job positions with Brunieans until 2012. He added that, to maintain stable plant operation, the company still needs to engage foreign technical experts to work with Bruneian staff and organize on-the-job training. Employment opportunities offered by the company will help local job seekers.
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