Dialogue to boost local ICT industry

THE first ever dialogue session between the Authority for Info-Communications Technology Industry of Brunei (AiTi) and Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector was held yesterday as an effort to further strengthen the development of local ICT industry in the Sultanate.

The dialogue serves as a platform for the professional exchange of information and expectations between the members of AiTi and key industry players in the field of ICT, where the two parties can share and discuss the concerns and challenges faced by local ICT companies.

Among its other objectives include an opportunity to share their views on the present status of the local ICT industry and its future directions as well as to further understand the industry's needs. The dialogue also hopes to discuss business opportunities that can help local companies progress and strengthen the economy, apart from gaining an insight and learn from the Singapore experience in the development of their ICT industry as well as to develop the AiTi's "ICT Development Strategic Blueprint".

Also present were Deputy Minister of Communications, Dato Paduka Hj Yussof Hj Abd Hamid, cum co-chairman of the EBLF and Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah Hj Abd Wahab.

The forum which was chaired by the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Hj Alaihuddin POKDGSLDSU Hj Mohd Taha, who is also the chairman of AiTi was participated by representatives from the ICT industry including Infocomm Federation Brunei (IFB), ICT companies, incubatees and telcos

In his presentation, Pg Hj Mohd Zain Pg Hj Abdul Razak, AiTi chief executive officer talked about the current development of ICT and the action plans and elaborated on the industry's shortcomings and what could be done to improve it.

Another paper titled "Industry Development and Challenges in the Context of Local ICT" was presented by Pg Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Kamaluddin and David Abberton, the chairman and secretary of IFB respectively.

Chief Executive Officer of IDA (Infocomm Development Authority) International, Seah Chin Siong, gave a presentation on Singapore's industry experience and and their ICT strategic plan.

The session was then followed by a discussion on areas of interest between AiTi and the local ICT industry, which focused on ICT human capacity building and developing an industry framework, which included the financing for product and business development. (AFH1)

The Brunei Times