Mitsubishi innovating in Brunei
Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan has supported the oil and gas industry of Brunei Darussalam and lends its expertise especially in natural gas for more than 40 years. But the Japanese have also taken on innovative projects that are in line with Brunei’s economic diversification efforts. Inside Investor sat down with Osamu Ito, General Manager of the Brunei Liaison Office of Mitsubishi Corporation, to discuss some of the initiatives taken on to support the state of Brunei.
General Manager Osamu Ito, who has now been based in Brunei for four years can be pleased with the corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects his team has taken on.
For example, Mitsubishi has set up a 1.2 megawatts photovoltaic plant at the outskirts of Brunei, in Seria.
“This is still in experimental stage as we are testing six different types of solar panels. The point of the study is to work out the appropriate material and the angle of use for Brunei,” Ito said.
“Data is collected on a daily basis, and at the end of the three-year experimental phase it will be compiled and presented in a report to the government of Brunei. This is part of our CSR to help the country diversify its energy sources.” he added.
Mitsubishi is also working on a highly complex research and development programme to successfully cultivate algae in the sultanate’s tropical climate to support algae growth – to produce a substrate that can be used in cosmetics and health foods.
“We are still studying techniques to cultivate micro algae, and once this is done, we can produce an additive here and export it to other countries. The product has the anti-aging effects and can be used in cosmetics and health foods. The product is getting more popular in the world market.” Ito said.
The Brunei government has supported to build an R&D facility on it.
“If our R&D work is successful, we can look to move to the commercial stage.” Ito added.
A couple of other non-oil and gas related projects currently in the infancy stages worth mentioning are a vaccine that is to be produced by only using vegetables rather than animal testing.
“These are specified projects away from what we do primarily, but we are very keen on ensuring that we have a positive impact on the people and the country as we have a relationship with Brunei that dates back 40 years,” Ito said.
[caption id="attachment_6607" align="alignleft" width="300"] Osamu Ito, General Manager of the Brunei Liaison Office of Mitsubishi Corporation[/caption] Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan has supported the oil and gas industry of Brunei Darussalam and lends its expertise especially in natural gas for more than 40 years. But the Japanese have also taken on innovative projects that are in line with Brunei’s economic diversification efforts. Inside Investor sat down with Osamu Ito, General Manager of the Brunei Liaison Office of Mitsubishi Corporation, to discuss some of the initiatives taken on to support the state of Brunei. General Manager Osamu Ito, who has now been...
Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan has supported the oil and gas industry of Brunei Darussalam and lends its expertise especially in natural gas for more than 40 years. But the Japanese have also taken on innovative projects that are in line with Brunei’s economic diversification efforts. Inside Investor sat down with Osamu Ito, General Manager of the Brunei Liaison Office of Mitsubishi Corporation, to discuss some of the initiatives taken on to support the state of Brunei.
General Manager Osamu Ito, who has now been based in Brunei for four years can be pleased with the corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects his team has taken on.
For example, Mitsubishi has set up a 1.2 megawatts photovoltaic plant at the outskirts of Brunei, in Seria.
“This is still in experimental stage as we are testing six different types of solar panels. The point of the study is to work out the appropriate material and the angle of use for Brunei,” Ito said.
“Data is collected on a daily basis, and at the end of the three-year experimental phase it will be compiled and presented in a report to the government of Brunei. This is part of our CSR to help the country diversify its energy sources.” he added.
Mitsubishi is also working on a highly complex research and development programme to successfully cultivate algae in the sultanate’s tropical climate to support algae growth – to produce a substrate that can be used in cosmetics and health foods.
“We are still studying techniques to cultivate micro algae, and once this is done, we can produce an additive here and export it to other countries. The product has the anti-aging effects and can be used in cosmetics and health foods. The product is getting more popular in the world market.” Ito said.
The Brunei government has supported to build an R&D facility on it.
“If our R&D work is successful, we can look to move to the commercial stage.” Ito added.
A couple of other non-oil and gas related projects currently in the infancy stages worth mentioning are a vaccine that is to be produced by only using vegetables rather than animal testing.
“These are specified projects away from what we do primarily, but we are very keen on ensuring that we have a positive impact on the people and the country as we have a relationship with Brunei that dates back 40 years,” Ito said.
