BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM---June 30, 2012--- General Electric International Inc. (GE) today inaugurated its first office in Brunei Darussalam, demonstrating its continuing commitment to expanding operations and growing with the ASEAN region. Located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the office serves as the hub for GE in one of the region's wealthiest economies, particularly in the energy sector.
The official opening ceremony was attended by Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Chairman of the Brunei Economic Development Board; His Excellency Daniel Shields, United States Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam together with Stuart Dean, CEO of GE ASEAN and Mohd Pahmi Mokhtar, Country Executive for GE Energy. The occasion highlights GE's growth strategy in ASEAN, which is home to some of the world's fastest growing and resource-rich emerging markets.
"GE has a long-standing presence in ASEAN, and a successful track record in co-creating with local partners to facilitate the development of the most advantageous solutions to the region's challenges," said Dean. "Our new office in Bandar Seri Begawan further demonstrates our long-term commitment to ASEAN and to Brunei, where we will collaborate more closely with the government and private sector to help achieve a dynamic and sustainable economy under Wawasan Brunei (Vision Brunei) 2035."
The opening of the office represents a strategic move by GE recognizing Brunei's burgeoning energy growth, where the oil and gas sector contributes to about half of the economy and over 90% of export earnings. It builds on GE's relationship with the country that has grown significantly since the company's entry into the market in the 1980s. The company is today, a key energy partner in Brunei where GE technology is used for the country's power generation installed base. GE is also active in the oil and gas segment, and has long-term service agreements with local customers.
GE is optimistic of its plans to expand its presence and capabilities in line with Brunei's White Paper on Energy which outlines strategies to ensure security, reliability, as well as efficient supply and use of energy. "We are excited by this significant milestone, which illustrates GE's localization strategy and our efforts to be closer to our customers," said Pahmi. "We are looking to explore co-development opportunities to promote Supply Side Efficiency through application of new technologies in existing and new power plants. Additionally we are also interested in transmission and distribution initiatives such as smart grid programs and state of the art grid solutions."
GE is also well positioned to support Brunei's vision to strengthen and grow upstream and downstream oil and gas. The company is interested to tap into new opportunities in Brunei, where GE has deep expertise such as enhanced oil recovery.
GE also recognizes the Brunei government's call to diversify the economy. Over the next few years, the company aims to engage local partners to explore opportunities across different sectors such as healthcare and aviation. "GE's technology portfolio and broad expertise are well aligned with Brunei's growth needs," Dean said. We look forward to building a win-win strategy that will help bolster the nation in its efforts to widen the economy base and create new opportunities for its people. "
Beyond business, GE aims to strengthen its contribution towards Vision Brunei 2035 through human resource development. GE will explore collaborations with local universities to establish training and scholarship programs. To date, GE's energy business has sponsored a USD1M training center in the University of Technical Education in Ho Chi Minh City, which provides students training in advanced electrical distribution and control equipment. In Indonesia, 61 engineers and other professionals have graduated from the first intake of the GE Oil & Gas University in Indonesia.
GE has a team of engineers in addition to office administrative support at the new Brunei facility. The company currently has long-term service projects with Brunei Shell Petroleum and Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd. The Brunei headquarters is the eighth GE office in the ASEAN region, where GE has been present since 1890.
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For more information, please contact:
Zatalini Zulkiply
Communications Manager
GE Malaysia and Brunei
+603 2267 1892
[email protected]
Zatalini - Zulkiply
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