Brunei to export IT goods to Philippines

BRUNEI has inked deals with a Philippine firm that will pave the way for the Sultanate to export information and communications technology products to its Southeast Asian neighbour.

The Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) and three iCentre firms yesterday inked separate deals with Philippine-based Crestar Communications, which will provide the platform for the iCentre firms to tap into the Philippine ICT market.

The signing of the deals coincided with His Majesty's three-day state visit to the Philippines, which ends today.

iCentre firms Expansys Technologies, Mimit e-Technology and Rafiqun WDSI have been identified as having ready-to-deploy innovative technologies with applications in both the commercial and public sectors in the Philippines.

"The BEDB is proud that we are on our way to achieve our vision to have a 'Made in Brunei' technology which cuts across various industries with a regional and worldwide acceptance," Vincent Cheong, BEDB chief executive, said during the signing ceremony.

He added the signing of BEDB's deal with Crestar is a significant milestone for iCentre as he credited Crestar for providing the companies with the opportunity to enter the Philippine market.

Antonio Peralta, Crestar chief executive, said the collaboration with the iCentre companies is a defining step towards the realisation of Brunei's goal of becoming a hub for ICT in the Bimp-Eaga region.

Expansys Technologies aims to launch its text or short messaging system gateway technology as the preferred platform in delivering the integrated systems of Mesh, IPTV and GPS technology in the Philippines.

Mimit e-Technology intends to launch its V-track system, a global positioning system tracking system for fleets as well as e-ilmu, an Islamic mobile content application developed for the Muslim communities in the Philippines.

Rafiqun WDSI plans to deliver its Wireless Mesh Device and IPTV to serve the Philippines market.

They will also be bringing in their expertise in wireless design, e-commerce and e-government consultancy services to the country.

iCentre, an initiative by the BEDB is the first ICT incubator in Brunei, set up to nurture ICT entrepreneurs.

Signing on behalf of the BEDB was Cheong, while Dr Manaf Metussin, assistant chief executive of the BEDB, witnessed.

Peralta signed on behalf of Crestar Communications.

The event concluded with a showcase of the products to be launched by the iCentre technology companies. (SHS1)

The Brunei Times