BEDB briefs international and local contractors on tender process at the first Contractors Forum

Bandar Seri Begawan, Wednesday 10 June 2009.

The BEDB (Brunei Economic Development Board) today convened a forum for international and local contractors with an interest in its infrastructure projects.

The BEDB Contractors Forum 2009, which was held at the Empire Hotel & Country Club, brought together over 300 local and foreign executives from industries such as logistics, consultancy, engineering, construction, equipment as well as technology. Participants included delegates from China, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Netherland, India and Hong Kong.

The objective of the Forum was to give first-hand insight into the BEDB’s infrastructure projects and share relevant information on its tender process.

Pengiran Kerma Raja Pengiran Haji Kamarulzaman, a BEDB board member said, “This forum is an important mechanism to help the BEDB manage key infrastructure projects through a fair and transparent process”.

Dato Paduka Timothy Ong, Acting Chairman of the BEDB said: “This Contractors Forum reflects the BEDB’s commitment to transparency, international best practice and competition in awarding contracts. Our mandate is to award tenders based on compliance with tender requirements, the contractor’s competence and competitive pricing so as to secure the best value for His Majesty’s government”. 

The forum saw the participants being updated on the status of the BEDB infrastructure projects through a presentation delivered by Pengiran Aki Ismasufian, Senior Manager of Stakeholder Relations. The presentation covered infrastructure projects undertaken by the BEDB including waste management and housing; industrial infrastructure at the Sungai Liang industrial park; the container port at Pulau Muara Besar and roads; as well as ICT infrastructure at the Knowledge Park at Anggerek Desa.

Participants also received a briefing by Mr Geoffrey Shim, Manager at the Infrastructure Development Division which focuses on the BEDB’s approach to tendering process for its major infrastructure. “The objective of the BEDB’s tender process is essentially to obtain the best price from the best contractor, for His Majesty’s government” he clarified.

The half-day forum also gave the participants a unique opportunity to engage in a dialogue with the BEDB through an open forum discussion.

Press Contact: Lela Suhailee (lela@bedb.com.bn)