In 2023, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector accounted for 2.3 per cent of Brunei Darussalam’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with the telecommunications sector being the major contributor at 73.1 per cent.
This was highlighted by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah during his keynote address at the Tripartite Forum on Building a Vibrant Digital Economy in ASEAN: Strategies for Cyber Resilience and Shared Prosperity, held on Monday at The Empire Brunei.
The Minister emphasised the importance of continued investment in digital infrastructure by both the government and the private sector to facilitate growth in the ICT sector. A significant milestone in this effort was the launch of 5th Generation (5G) mobile services in 2023, offering ultra-high-speed internet access of up to 300MB per second, a substantial increase from the 20MB to 80MB per second speeds of the 4G network. This development has created numerous opportunities for enhancing digitalisation across various sectors, benefiting both businesses and the general public.
According to the Authority for Info-Communications Technology Industry (AITI), 90 per cent of Brunei’s populated areas are now covered by 5G-ready mobile services, with ongoing efforts to extend this coverage further.
To ensure that Brunei’s digital environment aligns with other ASEAN countries, the government has undertaken several initiatives, including the establishment of a commercial data centre, relevant laws and frameworks, the Brunei Innovation Lab to nurture digital start-ups, and the transformation of government services through digital platforms.
One of the flagship projects under the Digital Economy Council is the Digital Payment Hub Project, designed to facilitate instant, secure bank transfers, thereby boosting financial inclusion and fintech growth within the region.
The Tripartite Forum, themed “Building a Vibrant Digital Economy in ASEAN: Strategies for Cyber Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” was organised by the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), ASEAN, and APEC Business Advisory Councils of Brunei. The one-day forum brought together business leaders, government officials, and parliamentarians from ASEAN to discuss key issues impacting the region’s digital future. – Azlan Othman
