Saturday, 24^th August 2024. A historical milestone in Brunei-China relations was celebrated yesterday afternoon with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Muara Container Terminal Expansion project spearheaded by Muara Port Company Sdn Bhd (MPC). Attended by senior Government officials and prominent representatives from both the Brunei Government and Guangxi Government of China, the occasion significantly underscores the strengthening economic partnership between the two nations, a relationship solidified by the Brunei-Guangxi Economic Corridor (BGEC) established in September 2014.

Representatives from both nations, alongside various key stakeholders, were invited to commence the initial groundworks, symbolising the official commencement of construction. The ceremony was officiated by senior Brunei Government officials including Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin; Minister of Primary Resources & Tourism, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid; Minister of Development, Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha; Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, and Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Khairuddin bin Haji Abdul Hamid, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Economy) and the representatives from the Guangxi Government of China including  His Excellency Mr. Liu Ning; Secretary of the CPC Guangxi Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Guangxi with various stakeholders including Yang Mulia Mr. Wang Haihuai; General Manager of China Communications Construction Group Co., Ltd. and Yang Mulia Mr. Li Feng; General Manager Bank of China.

Also present during the ceremony were Mr. Peng Jinhai; Deputy Secretary-General and Deputy Director-General of the General Affairs Office, the CPC Guangxi Committee, Yang Mulia Mr. Bai Songtao; Director-General of the Guangxi Development and Reform Commission, Yang Mulia Mr. Yang Chunting; Director-General of the Guangxi Department of Commerce, Yang Mulia Mr. Wei Ran; Director-General of the Guangxi Foreign Affairs Office, Yang Mulia Mr. Wang Haitao; Chargé d'Affaires of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam, and Yang Mulia Mr. Zhou Shaobo; Chairman of Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group Co., Ltd.

The expansion of Muara Container Terminal is anticipated to be completed by Q2 of 2027 and will address the increasing demands of cargo throughput and port capacity. The development of a Port Trade Zone (PTZ) is included within the extended terminal and is aimed at streamlining trade processes and supporting regional industrial growth.

In his welcoming address, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II, as Chairman of MPC, highlighted that the expansion “will significantly enhance port capacity, accommodate larger vessels, and include a new Port Trade Zone, all of which are crucial for boosting international trade, supporting economic growth, and transforming Brunei’s Muara Port into a major regional shipping and transhipment hub.”

The expansion is set to transform Muara Container Terminal into a vital hub for international trade and investment, fostering economic growth and enhancing connectivity between the Brunei Darussalam and China. The ambitious project not only underscores both nations’ commitment to economic partnership, but it also positions Muara Port as a strategic gateway to regional and global markets.