ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. at the 2007 NUS Raffles Museum Guidebook and Guidesheets Launch

Welcome Remarks by
Mr Kwa Chong Seng, Chairman and Managing Director
ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. at the
2007 NUS Raffles Museum Guidebook and Guidesheets Launch
Friday, 3 August 2007


Good Afternoon,

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs;
Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, Senior Deputy President, National University of Singapore;
Professor Andrew Wee, Dean of Science, NUS;
Professor Peter Ng, Director, Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research;
Distinguished Friends;

Did you know that birds are able to recognise landmarks such as rivers, coast lines and mountain ranges and that they use the stars and sun as references when they migrate?  Or that new species are found each year in Singapore and that recently in January this year, we discovered the Elegant Shrimp Goby on our shores?  Nature continues to fascinate and interest us.  It is there for us to learn more about our habitats, to take care of our environment, and share it.

I am very glad to be here with you today.

ExxonMobil is honoured to be associated with the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research for this inaugural project.  The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research is renowned for its extensive and meticulous research on habitats and species in the South East Asia.  Through their good work, they have been strong advocates of Singapore's natural heritage and the need to continue to strike a healthy balance between urbanisation and the conservation of our natural habitats.

Although Singapore is a bustling urban city, we are unique in that we enjoy lots of greenery and we continue to challenge ourselves to find a happy medium with our natural habitat.  Singapore will continue to change and evolve as we develop into an international city with a buzz.  We will be much richer if we continue to be aware of our natural habitat and conserve what we can.

ExxonMobil's collaboration with the Raffles Museum aims to heighten awareness that Singapore has a collection of extensive and diverse habitats.  Awareness is but the first step, it is followed by behavioural change to conserve the rich and diverse flora and fauna in Singapore and the region.

Our aim in producing these guide sheets and guidebooks with the Raffles Museum is to educate and encourage everyone to care for these habitats.  This is only way we can go about protecting our ecosystem for our enjoyment and that of the generations to come.

This project currently comprises five guide sheets and a guidebook, with a promise of more to come.  The guide sheets feature insects and birds, and habitats such as mangrove swamps and coastal areas.  The vibrant and colourful guide sheets are handy references that can be taken along for walks in our nature reserves.  In each guide sheet, you will also find tips on how to be a responsible visitor and how we each can play a part to protect our fragile ecosystem.  I understand the guide sheets have been a hit with school children since the soft launch of the first Bukit Timah Nature Reserve guide sheet in November 2006.  The guidebook has a wealth of references and it showcases the rich biodiversity in Singapore.

As a global corporate citizen operating in more than 200 countries and territories, we believe our most important responsibility to society is to run our business well - that is - to operate safely and reliably – and provide affordable energy in a reliable and environmentally responsible manner.

We have a long tradition making a positive contribution in the communities we operate in.  In fact, community awareness is a cornerstone of running our business well.  The Singapore Red Cross, Southwest CDC, National Environment Agency, National Arts Council, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, are some partners we work with to make a positive impact in our community here in Singapore.  I am happy to add our work with the Raffles Museum to our community outreach projects.

I would like to conclude by thanking Ms Wang Luan Keng and Dr Peter Ng for their tireless effort and partnership with ExxonMobil, to build awareness of our natural heritage and help us realise that we all have a part to play to conserve this heritage for all to enjoy - present and future.

Thank you.