Local enterprises, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), will receive continued support to adopt digital technologies, develop skills and participate in pilot projects as Brunei Darussalam advances its Digital Brunei 2030 agenda.
The government will also place greater emphasis on data and artificial intelligence (AI) to help businesses improve decision-making, productivity and innovation, said Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Mohammed Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohammed Yunos during the Second Meeting of the 22nd Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday.
The minister said appropriate performance indicators will be used to measure the adoption of digital technologies, including digital payments and AI, as well as the benefits they deliver to local enterprises.
He was responding to a question from LegCo member Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck on efforts to ensure the implementation of Digital Brunei 2030 produces tangible results for local businesses.
The minister said Digital Brunei 2030 serves as the national roadmap for digital transformation, providing a framework for developing the Sultanate’s digital ecosystem across the government, society and business sectors through to 2030.
The plan was developed through engagement with stakeholders, including Chambers of Commerce, to ensure the needs and aspirations of different sectors were taken into account.
To translate digital transformation into greater productivity, innovation and competitiveness for local businesses, the ministry is focusing on four key strategies: Digital Government, Digital Society, Digital Business, and Data and AI.
The minister said the four strategies are closely connected, with more efficient processes improving productivity, access to data and AI encouraging innovation, and a digitally skilled workforce strengthening the ability of businesses to compete, including in regional markets.
He stressed that a digital transformation plan could only produce meaningful results if it was effectively implemented, monitored and continuously improved.
The minister said successful digital transformation cannot be achieved by the government alone and requires cooperation among the public and private sectors, academic institutions and society.
Policies and initiatives should be practical and business-friendly, while technology should remain accessible at an appropriate cost and opportunities to develop digital knowledge and skills should continue to expand, he added.
“Digital Brunei 2030 is not simply about technology, but about the benefits that can be generated through technology,” the minister said.
The ultimate goal is for enterprises of all sizes to harness digital technology to become more productive, innovative and competitive, both domestically and regionally.
“Technology is a tool. The measure of our success is the extent to which that tool can increase productivity, create opportunities and deliver tangible benefits to the people and local enterprises,” he said.
(news source: Borneo Bulletin ; pic source: Info Foto, Jbt Penerangan)
