Adib Noor
A fertiliser production facility in the Sungai Liang Industrial Park, built by Thyssenkrupp, has reached the final stage and will soon be handed over to its owner, Brunei Fertilizer Industries.
With a production capacity of 3,900 tonnes of urea per day, it is one of the biggest fertiliser facilities in Southeast Asia and it will support the Brunei Government’s diversification strategy, said Ambassador of Germany to Brunei Darussalam Gerda Winkler.
She made these remarks in her welcoming address during the 32nd anniversary of German Reunification reception at the Songket Ballroom, The Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong yesterday.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin was the guest of honour.
The ambassador said that Brunei and Germany have enjoyed excellent relations.
“They were formalised on January 30, 1984, four weeks after Brunei’s independence. Germany opened its embassy here in Bandar Seri Begawan on March 14, 1985 and on October 15, 1990, Brunei opened its embassy in Berlin. In governmental relations, Germany and Brunei are reliable partners to each other. We share similar views on the value of a rules-based international order, of multilateralism and on the importance of free trade. High-ranking visits have fostered the relations,” she said.
In terms of business, the ambassador highlighted the Butra HeidelbergCement Sdn Bhd as one of the many collaborations.
“Our projects blend into this country’s economy and its goals. Operating since 1996, Butra HeidelbergCement is to date the country’s largest producer of cement, whereas Allianz is cooperating with the National Insurance as a shareholder and with its expertise to provide high levels of insurance services since 1998, while Detecon provides services in the Sultanate’s telecom sector in a joint venture with UNN. Medetech Sdn Bhd is a major supplier of German medical technology in Brunei, representing Siemens and Fresenius,” she added.
The ambassador also spoke on the importance of the day stating that 32 years ago the German Unity put an end to decades of division, physically cemented in a wall built in 1961 which has cut through Germany for decades.
“It has also divided Europe and the world and has caused a great deal of suffering. The most important signal of German Reunification was hope. Setting systemic differences aside, the fall of the Iron Curtain paved the way to peace, prosperity and cooperation in Europe and in the world,” the ambassador said.
“I have been in Brunei for over two years, but the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented me from hosting a National Day reception.
“Tonight’s event gives me opportunity to thank the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam,” she said.
