| James Kon |
BRUNEI Darussalam ranked 53rd in ICT Development Index that measures the progress in ICT connectivity and usage in 176 countries, up one spot from 54th in 2016. The report also highlighted that the country has a high level of ICT access in relation to the Southeast Asia region and a growing telecommunications sector.
Brunei’s improved ranking in the ICT Development Index, conducted by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) was underscored by guest of honour Minister of Communications Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof at the launching ceremony of Progresif PAY, Brunei’s first mobile wallet at The Rizqun International Hotel.
“This is true with 75 in every 100 inhabitants in Brunei Darussalam using the Internet. Meanwhile, active mobile broadband subscription is recorded at 116 in every 100 inhabitants, indicating that broadband services are highly and actively accessed through mobile phone subscription in the country,” he said.
“Through the e-commerce survey conducted by the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI), about 76 per cent out of 1,000 respondents revealed they engaged in some form of e-commerce transaction. I am optimistic that it is correlated with Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) recently recording over one million mobile transactions in March 2018,” he added.
The minister urged that more needs to be done to catch up with the rest of the world.
“We must not be complacent. We need to widen the scope and deepen the impact of ICT adoption, in line with the emerging technologies, such as 5G, Big Data, Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence (AI). These key features enable the formation of a ‘Smart Nation’. The McKinsey Digitisation Index suggests that there is a close and direct correlation between digitisation and GDP growth. Higher digital adoption will affect GDP growth,” he said.
Speaking on implementing digital adoption, he said, “This is not something the government can do alone. It relies on the ‘Whole-of-Nation’ approach requiring coordinated roles of several stakeholders, working towards Brunei Vision 2035.”
The minister said the Brunei Darussalam National IT Council is reviewing existing ICT development strategies and the collective efforts of BIBD and Progresif will be taken into consideration.
“The council’s focus is aligned with the policy of the Ministry of Communications. The ministry prioritises its policies to produce positive and balanced progress in the ICT sector,” he said. “We hope to achieve the desired impact to improve the country’s ranking in the ICT Development Index.
“The regulatory authority plays a key role in giving reassurances to the public while also ensuring correct practices are in place to maintain a balanced and nurturing environment for ICT or telecommunication operators to flourish,” he added. “With the emergence of new complex technologies, it is important for AITI to continue adopting a facilitating and industry promoting approach.”
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