THE Brunei International Container Terminal Services Inc. is confident President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit would enhance bilateral economic relations.
ICTSI, which operates the sultanate’s leading trading gateway, the Muara Container Terminal, looks forward to improved investment opportunities between the two Asean countries.
“We are hopeful this state visit will open up more opportunities for the two countries to further develop the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area. ICTSI is fully committed to be an active partner in both countries’ drive to promote economic growth, especially through sound investments in port management and development,” Christian Gonzalez, ICTSI senior vice president and head of Asia-Pacific, said in a press statement.
Around 85 percent of employees of the New Muara Container Terminal Services, recently honored as one of Asia’s top employers, are Bruneians.
“ICTSI has built a reputation for itself as one of the most successful port operators in the world. Eight years says a lot as to what we have been doing in Brunei,” said Manuel De Jesus, ICTSI vice president for business development-Asia.
ICTSI’s success on the global scale has resulted in a diverse portfolio of 30 terminals in 20 countries.
ICTSI is proposing to have a long-term concession with the Brunei government to further develop the Port of Muara into a world-class gateway.
Reimond Silvestre, NMCTS general manager, himself said: “Given our global expertise and sound business practices backed by international financial institutions, we can develop world-class port facilities in Brunei.
“With President Duterte discussing trade relations, we’re really hoping for things to go well so both countries can capitalize on these opportunities. For us, we’re hoping we could expand our contract in Muara so we can pour more investments, create a world-class trade gateway and provide better service to the people of Brunei.”
