| James Kon |
HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Deputy Sultan in his capacity as the Chairman of Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam’s (AMBD) Board of Directors yesterday attended the foundation laying ceremony of the AMBD Building.
Located on a 16-acre land at Jalan Menteri Besar, Kampong Melabau, Mukim Kianggeh, the 22,000-square-metre building complex will be built with Syariah-compliant Sukuk fund.
The AMBD Building project will include the construction of the main building, the currency gallery and a multi-purpose hall. Currently, the AMBD headquarters is situated at the Ministry of Finance Building, Commonwealth Drive.
Upon arrival at the foundation laying project site, His Royal Highness was greeted by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs as Deputy Chairman of AMBD’s Board of Directors and Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office. Also in attendance were Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman, Minister of Education; Dato Paduka Awang Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Acting Minister of Finance II; other members of AMBD’s Board of Directors as well as AMBD’s officers and staff.
His Royal Highness then proceeded to officiate at the foundation laying ceremony of the AMBD Building which was followed by signing of the commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.
The Deputy Sultan also viewed an exhibition illustrating the milestones for the construction of the building project and later joined a group photo session with members of AMBD’s Board of Directors.
In his speech at the ceremony, the Minister of Home Affairs lauded the construction of the building complex using Sukuk funds. “This is a significant initiative to develop the financial market in our country, especially Islamic finance market. It is hoped that the issuance of the Sukuk will act as a catalyst for more innovative Sukuk issuances for domestic projects in the future.”
“The AMBD Building’s design is based on a concept that reflects the image and identity of a central bank with international standards and as an entity which can have a progressive role in the development of an inclusive financial sector.”
The design, the minister said, also portrays the strength of Islamic identity, upholds the national heritage and highlights the sovereignty of Brunei Darussalam as a Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) country. All the design elements are hoped to create an iconic and dynamic building which will become another major landmark in the country soon, he added.
“The building can accommodate around 300 staff and has several facilities, namely a surau, a theatre hall, meeting rooms, a public complaint centre and a research centre. The design is flexible in line with the AMBD’s future needs in addressing the global challenges that are becoming increasingly complex and dynamic,” the minister explained.
In February 2016, nine architect firms were invited to compete in designing the AMBD Building, where the assessment for the competition was made based on criteria, such as design, creativity, concept sustainability, aesthetics and functionality.
OWMP International, the appointed leading architect, together with several other local consultants, designed a modern classical concept of the AMBD Building, with unique features symbolising the significant role of AMBD in ensuring the stability of the country’s financial system.
The groundwork for the building site commenced in November 2017 and the construction of the main building is expected to be completed by early 2020. Yesterday’s ceremony was also attended by permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries as well as senior government officials and prominent figures in the local financial sector.