STRATEGIC NATIONAL PROJECTS
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM’S COMMITMENT TO ENHANCING NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The development of Brunei’s infrastructure will play a major role towards increasing economic competitiveness and enhancing Brunei’s attractiveness as an investment destination. Towards achieving a high quality of life in line with Vision 2035, an Infrastructure Development Strategy was formulated to ensure continued investment by government and through public-private sector partnerships in developing and maintaining world-class infrastructure. The strategy calls for:
The provision of adequate social infrastructure particularly public housing, healthcare and education
Adoption of appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks to promote investment in social and industrial infrastructure, including privatisation and public-private partnerships (PPP)
Ensuring that funding is available for all priority government infrastructure projects
Reviewing the way government infrastructure contracts are awarded and managed in order to ensure that these contracts are implemented on time and cost effectively.
THE BEDB’S NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
As demonstration of Brunei’s commitment to Infrastructure Development, the BEDB has been tasked to handle several strategic projects under Brunei’s Five Year National Development Plan 2007-2012.
National Housing Projects
In light of the rapidly growing number of citizens applying for houses under the National Housing Scheme, the BEDB has been tasked to undertake three pilot projects for the construction of low-cost houses under the Scheme. Three sites have been allocated for the following districts:
Kg Panaga in Belait District where the BEDB is undertaking the construction of 2000 Houses in 24 months. The project was awarded to Bina Puri Holdings of Malaysia. Construction is already underway and scheduled for completion in 2011.
Kg Mengkubau in Brunei Muara District where the BEDB will be overseeing the construction of 4000 Houses in 48 months. The project has been awarded to UEM Builders Berhad, an international contractor owned by Khazanah Nasional of Malaysia.
Kg Bukit Beruang in Tutong District where the BEDB will oversee the construction of 1500 Houses in 18 months. The
Project is currently in the tender stage.
Telisai-Lumut Highway
In February 2010, the BEDB awarded a contract for the construction of a new 18.6km dual-carriage highway to Surati Construction, a leading Brunei construction company. The highway, which will include five bridges, will connect the Brunei Muara district to key industrial areas such as the Sungai Liang Industrial Park (SPARK) and Brunei Shell Petroleum’s operations in the Belait district, and is expected ease current traffic congestion along the Sungai Liang part of the north-south trunk road.
Waste Management System
The BEDB has been tasked to modernize Brunei’s waste management system, which includes the rehabilitation of the Sungai Akar dump site, and the construction of both a transfer station at Sungai Akar and a new engineered landfill to be located at Sungai Paku. The rehabilitation of Sungai Akar, carried out by a Brunei-Canadian consortium led by Jurusy Perunding, was completed in 2009. A small area of this rehabilitated site is still accepting waste until the engineered landfill commences operations. The construction of the engineered landfill and transfer station is being carried out by ST Marine-QAF, a Singapore-Brunei consortium, and is targeted to be completed in 2012.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
OPPORTUNITIES IN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
Residential – New development such as waterfront residences on identified Greenfield sites such as Pulau Muara Besar (PMB) and the refurbishment and redevelopment of existing residential apartments on a Public Private Partnership basis
Commercial – Revitalisation of commercial office spaces, development of commercial retail complexes, township and urban area development
Others – Property or facilities management and maintenance joint venture opportunities
Under the BEDB’s first public-private property development project Bina Puri Holdings Bhd, a renowned Malaysian construction and engineering firm, is investing $9.2 million to refurbish and upgrade three unoccupied apartment blocks into modern serviced apartments. Under the investment Binapuri Holdings Bhd will also provide guaranteed annual payments for the next 20 years, thereby creating added value for the Government of Brunei Darussalam. The BEDB is looking to recreate this partnership model in other potential development projects.
WHY INVEST IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM’S PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT?
In Brunei Darussalam, the availability of identified sites and buildings for immediate development and redevelopment generates new and exciting public-private partnership investment opportunities. For example, the BEDB’s plans for the mixed-development of Pulau Muara Besar will create new opportunities for large scale investment in the areas of urban development, township, residential or commercial property development.
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM’S COMMITMENT TO PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
On July 15 2009 His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam announced the approval of the Land Code (Strata) Act Chapter 189, marking a significant milestone for the property industry in Brunei Darussalam. The Act allows for a secure form of ownership in properties made up of two or more units for both local and foreign investors. Furthering that, Strata titled properties can be used as collaterals for financing purposes.
http://www.bedb.com.bn/index_infrastructure.php
Brief Introduction of Brunei
Brunei Darussalam is a small country with great potential. It is ranked number one in the Islamic world in terms of the Human Development Index (HDI), which measures a country's quality of life.
Strategically located on the north-west coast of the island of Borneo, right in the heart of Asia, it is just two to three hours flying distance from most ASEAN countries. Brunei has a total land area of 5,765 km² and over 160 kilometers of coastline along the South China Sea. Sitting on the equator, Brunei Darussalam enjoys an equatorial climate with an average temperature of about 28° Celsius, high humidity and heavy rainfall.
Brunei Darussalam is divided into four districts, namely Brunei-Muara, Tutong, Belait and Temburong. Its capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is located in the Brunei-Muara district. The capital is the centre of Government and business activities. All the other major towns are within a two hour driving distance from Bandar Seri Begawan.
Population
Latest statistics put Brunei Darussalam’s population at 390,000 and growing at an average rate of 1.8% per annum. Brunei Darussalam has a multi-racial society, comprising of 67% Malays and 15% Chinese. Other races such as Indians, indigenous ethnic groups and expatriates make up the rest of the country’s population. Brunei Darussalam has a young population: 54% are in the 20-54 working age group, another 39% are below the age of 19 while only 7% are 55 and above.
Language
Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language) is the official language, but English is also widely spoken and understood. Various dialects of Chinese and Indian are used by the respective communities. Arabic is also taught in schools and institutions of higher learning.
Religion
Islam is the official religion of Brunei Darussalam and has been since the 14th century. Brunei takes its religion very seriously and has developed a strong Islamic reputation around the world. However, Brunei also practices religious tolerance as underwritten by the constitution. Other faiths practiced in the State include Christianity and Buddhism. About 67% of the population is Muslim.
Government
A British protectorate since 1888, Brunei Darussalam and became an independent sovereign Sultanate on 1 January 1984. Brunei Darussalam is governed on the basis of a written constitution which came into effect in 1959. Under the constitution His Majesty the Sultan has executive authority and is assisted and advised by 5 constitutional bodies, namely the Council of Succession, the Council of Cabinet Ministers, the Privy Council, the Religious Council and the Legislative Council.
The present Head of State and Head of Government is His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the 29th monarch to succeed to the throne. His Majesty is also the Prime Minister and heads a team of Cabinet Ministers.
Judiciary
Brunei Darussalam’s judiciary system is based on English Common Law. The Supreme Court comprises the High Court and the Court of Appeals, while the Subordinate Court consists of the Magistrate's Courts. A Syariah Court also co-exists with the Supreme Court and deals with Islamic laws. For Muslims, Islamic Syariah Law supersedes civil law in a number of areas. In 1991 the Intermediate Court was established with extensive civil and criminal jurisdiction; although it does not deal with capital offences.
Education
The Government of His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam provides free education to all Brunei Darussalam citizens and permanent residents who attend government schools. While the current education policy priorities the Malay Language as the official national language, English is most commonly used as the medium of instruction. Arabic is also used in religious schools.
The literacy rate in Brunei Darussalam is about 93%, which is among the highest in the world. The United Nations Development Programme has ranked Brunei Darussalam 30th in the “High Human Development” category.
Healthcare
Healthcare is a priority to His Majesty’s Government by demonstrated in the provision of a comprehensive health care system for the people of Brunei Darussalam. The main health policy is to provide high quality yet cost effective health care in order to maintain a high standard of living in a clean and healthy environment. Among the objectives are to reduce the infant mortality rate, diseases and disability, promote a healthy way of life and improve the environment.
Brunei Darussalam’s health services are ranked among the best in Asia. Citizens of Brunei Darussalam are charged a nominal fee at public hospitals and health clinics. Apart from public health care there are also private clinics and a private medical centre for those who seeking alternatives.