BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Darussalam will be placed on the world map as a premier destination for high-tech training solutions by 2014 through a joint venture Multi-Purpose Training Centre (MPTC) that will include the development of the region’s largest helicopter simulator facility, Borneo Bulletin reported.
This was lauded by Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s office Dato Paduka Awg Hj Ali bin Hj Apong, who is also the Chairman of the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB), in his remarks at the opening of a temporarily office for the joint venture company, CAE Brunei MPTC Sdn Bhd, between the Ministry of Finance of Brunei and CAE of Canada, which will be realising the mega project.
The deputy minister pointed out, “The joint venture Multipurpose Training Centre (MPTC) project will be a state-of-the-art integrated training facility that will put Brunei on the world map as a premier destination for high-tech training solutions for the aviation, oil and gas, crisis and emergency management as well as defence sectors.
“The first phase of the project will include the development of the region’s largest simulator facility that will offer both civil and military helicopter training solutions.” he said.
Highlighting reasons behind the great importance of the MPTC project for Brunei, the chairman explained, “Firstly, it aims to leverage on Brunei’s strength and expertise as an oil and gas producer to enhance human capacity building to serve the training needs of this growing sector.
“Secondly, the MPTC is expected to be a catalyst for the development and expansion of the high-tech sector in Brunei while diversifying the economy into new knowledge-based industries and providing quality employment for local Bruneians.
“Thirdly, the MPTC will position Brunei as a regional centre of excellence providing advanced training solutions to local and regional customers in the oil and gas, crisis and emergency management as well as defence segments.
“The significance of today’s event lies not only in the fact that it marks another milestone for CAE and the Strategic Development Capital Fund of the Ministry of Finance in the development of the MPTC project in Brunei, but also, more importantly, it signifies the warm and increasingly close ties between the nations of Brunei Darussalam and Canada.
Meanwhile Kevin Space, the Vice President and Regional Business Leader of Asia CAE, noted that the office at The Empire Hotel and Country Club is only temporary. This is because ultimately the joint-venture company will be conducting its business from a world-class, state-of-the-art Multi-Purpose Training centre being built by BEDB in Rimba, which will be ready by 2014.
“The centre will be a showpiece of technology that will make Bruneians proud.”
Recalling the rapid process in forging the joint venture, he said, “The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) quickly progressed to a joint venture company between CAE and the Ministry of Finance, and then signing long-tern contracts for the CAE Brunei MPTC to provide a range of training: First, for the S-92 helicopter training for Shell Brunei Petroleum, then training for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces on its new S-70i Black Hawk as well as PC-7 Trainer Aircraft.”
He continued, “CAE’s participation in BRIDEX led to the competitive award of the Brunei National Modelling and Simulator Centre which is providing the Royal Brunei Air Force and the Ministry of Defence with Southeast Asia’s first military decision support simulation system. This sophisticated system enables the Ministry of Defence to conduct gap analysis of existing systems and assess alternatives to improve Brunei’s existing defence systems and services.
“CAE is very excited about bringing our expertise to Brunei. We are very proud to support His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Vision 2035 by generating high quality, high technology employment opportunities for other Southeast Asian nations and industries to come to Brunei and train in what will undoubtedly be one of the world’s premiere training facilities,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr John Baird, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his speech applauded the setting up of the joint venture as yet another milestone in cooperation between Brunei and Canada
After the launch, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Ali bin Hj Apong and John Baird, heard a project briefing delivered by Kevin Space.