Brunei and four Asean members sign MoU on formation of quantity surveyors body

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): The Institution of Surveyors, Engineers and Architects (PUJA) Brunei on Thursday (Feb 25) marked yet another milestone by joining four Asean counterparts to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the formation of the Asean Quantity Surveyors Association (AQSA) via a virtual platform.

The signing, which took place at the Ministry of Development (MoD) building, was witnessed by Deputy Permanent Secretary (Corporate and Law) at the MoD Norhayati Mohd Yaakub and PUJA Brunei President Mohamad Zin Salleh.

Also in attendance were AQSA Panel of Advisor Mohammad Hanafi Abdul Rahman and AQSA Committee members Mohammad Shafie Mohammad Yusof and Hazhatulshima Md Jamil, as well as PUJA Council members.

Vice President and Chairperson Surveyor Division of PUJA Zariful Mohamed signed on behalf of PUJA Brunei.

Zariful said, “Currently in Brunei, there are 17 Asean architects (AA) and 33 Asean chartered professional engineers (ACPE) registered with the Board of Architects, Professional Engineers and Quantity Surveyors (BAPEQS), as the Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA) for Brunei Darussalam.

“Recognising the objectives of the Asean framework agreement on services (AFAS) and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and Puja Surveyor Division, together with the Board of Architects, Professional Engineers and Quantity Surveyors (BAPEQS), the Ministry of Development and the Trade Division of the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE) are committed to the realisation on the signing of Asean MRA on Quantity Surveying Services.

“This agreement will facilitate the mobility of quantity surveying professionals; and the exchange of information to promote adoption of best practices on standard and qualifications.”

The other signatories for the MoU are the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia, the Philippines Institute of Certified Quantity Surveyors, the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers and Ikatan Quantity Surveyor Indonesia. - Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network