ExxonMobil Singapore Chemical Plant at the 2007 ExxonMobil-South West CDC Bursary Presentation Ceremony

Opening Remarks by
Mr Derk Hartgerink, Manufacturing Director
ExxonMobil Singapore Chemical Plant at the
ExxonMobil-South West CDC  Bursary Presentation Ceremony
Thursday, 22 March 2007


Good afternoon, Dr Amy Khor, Mayor, South West CDC; members of the South West CDC; school representatives; parents; young ladies and gentlemen. It is my honour to be here at the 2007 ExxonMobil-South West CDC Transport Bursary Awards Presentation Ceremony.

ExxonMobil is very happy to once again have the opportunity to work closely with the SW CDC on the transport bursary.  This programme helps school children in the South West District by defraying the cost of commuting to and from school.  In 2003 ExxonMobil and SW CDC initiated a meals-at-school bursary which provided needy students with meals at school for the whole academic year.  In 2006, we piloted the transport bursary and based on feedback from schools and the community, we have continued with this programme in 2007.

I am happy to note that the number of beneficiaries has increased six fold - from 41 students in 2003 when we started working on the meals-at-school programme to 250 students who will receive the transport bursary award this year.

Through our community outreach programmes, ExxonMobil makes a tangible difference in the communities we operate in, in over 200 countries and territories around the world.  This is also the case in Singapore and the South West district.  Here in the South West, our contributions programmes include the arts outreach programme for students under the Kindergarten Financial Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) and campus concerts series at the National University of Singapore, the Nanyang Technological University and the National Institute of Education.  We have also been conducting mobile blood drives with the Red Cross here in the South West CDC for the last eight years.

Citizenship to ExxonMobil means meeting the world's growing demand for energy in an economically, environmentally, and socially responsible manner.  To me and all my colleagues at ExxonMobil manufacturing and marketing organisations here in Singapore, this in means simple terms, running our business as best as we can.

A very real indicator of running our business well is our safety record.  I am happy to share with you that last year ExxonMobil Singapore operated over 13 million manhours with only two contractor lost-time injuries.  Last year, our Singapore Refinery and Singapore Chemical Plant were awarded three Gold Awards and the Occupational Safety and Health Excellence Award by the Ministry of Manpower.

Running our business well also means making a positive contribution to the communities were we operate.

I would like to thank the South West CDC Office, all teachers and principals of participating schools who have worked hard to make this Bursary a success.

And thank you parents, for being here to support your children. 

I wish the students gathered here this afternoon, all the best in your school activities and studies.  Work hard and get the best education you can. We need good engineers, so, who knows, maybe one day you will work for our Company!

Thank you.