Benson you may be right. Time will tell. Obviously I believe...

Benson you may be right. Time will tell. Obviously I believe everything is bone fide at the moment (not suggesting everything was this way in the past).

My interpretation of the announcement you refer to is that due to previous announcements in past (we all know they were more hype than substance) they have been at pains to say no contract or T&Cs have been signed. They say it should be finalised within three months. The old nbs would say or imply they have a contract and were commencing work. This I believe is the reason the $4 million odd of Malaysian debtors had to be written off. Poor communication and business.

I believe this new regime (new MD and revamped board) have changed their strategy and are simply saying the government have allowed access but contract not signed and expenses will be borne by NBS until contract signed. This I believe is what happened last time and hence debtor writeoff. The positive is they are being honest and also of course I believe the contract will be signed (hopefully no GFC 2 is around corner). The $64 question is if contract is signed what is the quantum? I do not know but my hope is that it would mirror what is/was mooted for the Cambodian contract (i.e. $700 million or so 10 year contract). I would be happy with a $500 million 10 year contract.

Fate may deliver the wrong hand (no contract) or a much lesser quantum of contract but I will hold until I know otherwise. I maintain the very cautious and cicumspect announcements (or no announcements of hype) is a positive indication of the new NBS and is simply stating the current state of affairs based on fact.

Again for the record, I did my research on NBS, including the multitude of negative posts on HC, and I am on record as agreeing with most of the comments relating to past performance and disclosure of NBS.

Time will tell as most of the positive posters will say because of NBS chequered past.