press release

U.S. Embassy Signs Land Agreement for New Embassy Site

February 28, 2008

The U. S. Embassy signed a Land Agreement with the Government of Brunei Darussalam for the purchase of a site on which to build a new embassy on February 28 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  Signing on behalf of the U.S. government was Ambassador Emil Skodon, and signing on behalf of the government of Brunei Darussalam was Awang Haji Mohamed Nor bin Haji Jeludin, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

This agreement finalizes a land purchase in the Diplomatic Enclave along Jalan Kebangsaan for the purpose of building a new embassy compound.  Preliminary design work on the new embassy is already underway, and the new facility is expected to be completed in 2010.

Ambassador Skodon commented, “Signing this agreement marks an important step in a process that we began several years ago to upgrade our Embassy to better meet the needs of our active and strong relationship with Brunei.  We want our new home to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to a long term and mutually beneficial relationship with Brunei.  We also hope that when completed, our new Embassy will be an attractive, safe, and technologically state-of-the-art place for our American and Bruneian staff to work and for our visitors to enjoy.”

Ambassador Skodon also expressed appreciation for the cooperation and assistance provided by the various ministries and offices involved in the planning and realization of this agreement, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Attorney Generals Office, the Ministry of Development, Town and Country Planning, the Lands Department, Lands Survey Department, and the Tax and Duty Office.