Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha on Wednesday attended the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards 2024 Reception that gathered hundreds of participants and delegates from participating countries. Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) and Co-Chair I of the APICTA Awards 2024 Working Committee Ir Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof, in his welcoming remarks, said, “Brunei Darussalam has been given the privilege of hosting the APICTA Awards 2024, 12 years since we last hosted it in 2012. It is an honour to host this prestigious event in Brunei Darussalam, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Brunei ICT Awards (BICTA).”
He reiterated that Brunei Darussalam “has always been a strong advocate for technological advancement. Today, we come together to celebrate the exceptional innovations and achievements in the world of information and communication technology (ICT) across the Asia-Pacific region and stand proud as a platform for collaboration, learning, and the exchange of cutting-edge ideas”. The APICTA Awards, he described, “have become a symbol of excellence, recognising the creativity, passion, and hard work of ICT professionals, entrepreneurs, and organisations across the region. It is a testament to the incredible strides being made in ICT, from innovative start-ups to established enterprises and from visionary developers to forward-thinking policymakers.”
He emphasised that APICTA’s vision and mission align with Brunei Darussalam’s own vision of fostering a knowledge-based economy. “As we navigate through an era of rapid technological transformation, it is crucial that we continue to inspire and support the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators who will shape the future of ICT not just in our region but across the globe. Together, through APICTA, we can create an environment that nurtures collaboration and pushes the boundaries of what technology can achieve for the benefit of our societies.”
He also revealed that this year’s APICTA Awards 2024 received the highest number of entries in APICTA’s history, with 279 submissions from 15 member economies.
The minister later joined the delegates and APICTA officials for a networking session before heading to the Atrium of The Mall to launch the Digital Brunei Exhibition, showcasing the nation’s innovation progress and commitment to technological advancements. The minister also toured the exhibition following the launch. Held in conjunction with the APICTA Awards 2024, the Digital Brunei Exhibition is open to the public until today, from 10am to 9pm. – James Kon
