LAUNCH OF SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS 2005 CALENDAR

Singapore (September 25, 2004)

Good afternoon, Professor Leo Tan, Chairman of National Parks Board; HE. Franklin Lavin, U.S. Ambassador to Singapore; Dr. Tan Wee Kiat, CEO of National Parks Board; Dr. Chin See Chung, Director of Singapore Botanic Gardens; distinguished guests, friends of the Singapore Botanic Gardens; ladies and gentlemen.

I am pleased to be here for the launch of the 2005 Singapore Botanic Gardens Calendar in conjunction with the Gardens Charity Fair in aid of the President's Challenge.

Today's calendar launch is also part of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Corporate Community Day where companies get together to organise community activities on this same day. The Corporate Community Day, which started last year, is the biggest annual event organised by AMCHAM.  This year, AMCHAM has brought together 17 groups at 11 events around Singapore with more than 1,500 volunteers and beneficiaries.   I would like to thank Mr and Mrs Franklin Lavin who are here today.

ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd has been working with the Singapore Botanic Gardens on this calendar project since its inception in 2002.  As in the past, all proceeds from the sale of the calendars will be used to fund the garden's Public Exhibition Programme which aims to educate, enlighten and delight visitors to this wonderful national park.

Two versions of the calendar will be made available to the public -- a wall and desk calendar.  With each purchase of these calendars, ExxonMobil will donate an additional $2 to the President's Challenge.  The desk calendar will also be on sale at all the 77 Esso and Mobil Service Stations from October 7.

ExxonMobil has been in Singapore for more than a hundred years.  We began with a significant presence immediately after independence with our refinery in Jurong in 1966.  So you can say we have practically grown together with Singapore.  

ExxonMobil's most visible presence is through our network of Esso and Mobil service stations.  While we operate the largest service station network in Singapore, our presence here goes beyond the retail business.

We are today, Singapore's single largest foreign investor.  We operate one of the most modern petrochemical plants in the world on Jurong Island.  Our refinery together with our Singapore Chemical Plant form ExxonMobil's largest integrated manufacturing site in Asia.

As a company we do not take our presence for granted.  A cornerstone of our corporate citizenship is running our plants and facilities in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.  ExxonMobil is an industry leader in safety and our performance record speaks for itself.  We strive for an accident-free workplace and an environment where Nobody Gets Hurt.

ExxonMobil strives to make a positive contribution and strengthen local communities wherever we operate.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens calendar is just one of the few projects where we are associated with the National Parks Board.  Our National Arts Council-ExxonMobil Concert in the Park series and the National University of Singapore (NUS) ExxonMobil Campus Concerts bring the performing arts to the community at the various national parks.  The concerts are free and have been very well attended and received. Over these 2 days of the Garden Charity Fair, the NUS ExxonMobil Campus Concerts will be performing at the Palm Valley from 6 to 7pm.

We are also associated with the National Parks Board through the "Singapore, Litter-Free Programme" where we have worked together with the National Environment Agency (NEA) since 2002 to help keep Singapore clean.  The current programme helps inculcate good social habits among school children and encourages the public to keep shared community space like schools and national parks clean.  Together with the NEA, we also work with the National Day Parade Committee to encourage spectators to help keep the National Stadium clean by bagging their trash and disposing of them into the bins.

Since October last year, all Esso and Mobil service stations have adopted the state land bordering our stations and help to keep that clean and litter-free.  This year, we have incorporated environmental messages on our convenience store shopping bags and our cashiers have been gently reminding customers to reuse these bags.

While you are here at the Singapore Botanic Gardens enjoying the various activities, we hope that you can also help to keep Singapore clean and litter-free by disposing of your trash into the bins.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank our ExxonMobil employees who are here with us today to help collect used household items for the The Salvation Army for the needy and less fortunate.  

I would also like to thank the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National Parks Board for giving us the opportunity to sponsor the 2005 Singapore Botanic Garden Calendar. We have enjoyed working with you in this project.

Thank you.

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Welcome address by Dr Chin See Chung, Director, Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Prof Leo Tan, Chairman, National Parks Board; your Excellency Franklin Lavin, U.S. Ambassador; Ms. Lynne Lachenmyer, Asia Pacific Manufacturing Director for ExxonMobil Chemical Asia Pacific; distinguished guests; friends of the Gardens; ladies and gentlemen.

A very good afternoon to you and welcome to the Launch of the Singapore Botanic Gardens 2005 Calendar.

Over the last couple of years, the Botanic Gardens has added the Cool House and Ginger Garden to its attractions and horticultural displays. Both are receiving enthusiastic support.  More will be added as the Tanglin Core redevelopment, Children’s Garden and other amenities come on stream. But the heart and soul of a botanic garden lie in its outreach programmes, events, publications and ability to engage the community which it serves. At the Gardens, we seek to build enduring partnerships with corporations and individuals as we work to realise our vision to connect plants and people.

The 2005 calendar marks our third collaboration with ExxonMobil. This year’s calendar pays tribute to natural orchid species. The orchids that are featured are chosen for their unusual colour and form. They represent some of the most outstanding species in our photo collection. I hope you will enjoy the calendar as much as we have in putting it together.

As with previous years, proceeds from the sale of the calendar will go towards supporting our public exhibition programme, from dazzling butterflies to the multihued and vibrant festive plants, these exciting exhibits are a visual treat and have, over the last two years, provided glimpses and insights into our natural world. This programme also has the privilege of providing a platform for associations and talented individuals from a large diversity of interests and experiences to share their passion and knowledge. I am pleased to announce that exhibition slots for the next year have been fully taken up.

In addition, I understand that for every calendar sold, ExxonMobil will donate $2.00 to the President’s Challenge.

On this note, I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to ExxonMobil for their generosity and support for the Gardens’ outreach and community programmes. We look forward to future collaborations and a lasting and meaningful partnership.

I would also like to thank Your Excellency Mr Lavin, Prof Tan, and Ms Lachenmyer for taking time to be with us this afternoon.

And last but not least, I would also like to thank the staff of ExxonMobil and the Gardens who have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of today’s event.

Thank you.