Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

 

Alhamdullilahi Rabbil `Alameen Wasaalatu Wassalaamu `Ala Asyrafil Ambiae Walmursaleen, Sayidina Muhammadin Wa’alaa Aalihiee Wasahbihee Ajamaeen.

 

Yang Berhormat

Dayang Siti Rozaimeriyanty binti Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Abdul Rahman

Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Negara

Yang Mulia

Mr Mubashar H. Khokhar

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam Berhad

Yang Mulia

Mr Paul Taylor

Chief Executive Officer

Progresif Cellular Sendirian Berhad 

 

Yang Mulia

Pg Hj Mohamad Zain bin Hj Abdul Razak

Chief Executive 

The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry

Board of Directors, PCSB and BIBD

 

Distinguished guests, representatives from the banking and the ICT sector, friends from the media, ladies and gentlemen,

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarrakatuh and a very good afternoon,

1. First of all, I would like to thank BIBD and Progresif Cellular Sdn Bhd (PCSB) for kindly inviting me as the Guest of Honour for the launching of the Progresif Pay, Powered by BIBD NexGen. 

Let me first of all convey my congratulation to BIBD for launching their Nexgen initiative last Friday.  It has been an exciting weekend for BIBD as they have continued their digital journey today.

 

2. It is indeed a pleasure for me to be at this event to be part of this innovative digital journey.  I understand this is one of the many innovative products as an offspring of good collaboration between BIBD and PCSB towards an integrated and seamless digital banking transaction, that can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime and by anyone.  

Ladies and gentlemen,

3. Allow me to share a recent global development in the info-communications and                 e-commerce sector. In September 2017 last year, a debate took place at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).  During the debate it was estimated that globally, there are 2.9 billion people without a bank account.  

4. This has sparked further deliberations on the importance of connectivity and access, without which would deprive society of opportunity and progress.  Without connectivity and access, how can people improve their livelihood if they are not able to utilize and enjoy important services such as banking, education, business and medical, to name a few. 

5. Therefore, this collaboration in innovation is certainly very encouraging. It is more than just convenience to the users.  It is, in fact, one of the building blocks that prepares Brunei Darussalam as a  Smart Nation in today’s era of Digital Economy.  Hence, my heartiest congratulations to BIBD and Progresif Cellular for their innovative collaboration. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

6. Looking at the bigger picture, the launch of the Progresif Pay, Powered by BIBD NexGen indicates that we are indeed at the right track and in line with regional and international trends.  

 

7. I would like to refer to the Measuring Information Society report issued by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).  This report features the ICT Development Index that measures the progress in ICT connectivity and usage in 176 countries.  

8. For Brunei Darussalam, we are ranked at 53rd position in this ICT Development Index of 2017, up by one place from 54th in 2016.  The report also highlights that Brunei Darussalam has a high level of ICT access in relation to the South-East Asia region and a growing telecommunications sector. 

9. This is indeed true with 75 in every 100 inhabitants in Brunei Darussalam are using the Internet.  Meanwhile, active mobile broadband subscription are recorded at 116 in every 100 inhabitants, indicating that broadband services are highly and actively accessed through mobile phone subscription in the country. 

10. In addition to the above, through the e-commerce survey done by AITI, about 76% out of 1,000 respondents revealed that they have engaged in some form of e-commerce transactions.  I am optimistic that this may have some correlations with the fact that I just learned where BIBD recently recorded over one million mobile transactions in March 2018 alone. 

11. However, more needs to be done in order for us to catch up with what is going on out there.  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), to mention a few.  

12. These technologies are the key features that enable the formation of a Smart Nation.  The McKinsey Digitisation Index, suggests that there is a close and direct correlation between digitization and GDP growth.   The higher the digital adoption, the more impact it will produce on GDP growth.   

13.   For Digital Adoption to happen, this is not something that the Government can do alone.  It relies very much on the ‘Whole of Nation’ approach that requires coordinated roles of various stakeholders, working towards the same objective and vision of Wawasan 2035.  

14. With this in mind, I am pleased to inform that with the renewed composition and commitment, the Brunei Darussalam National IT Council are currently reviewing existing ICT development strategies.  This collective effort will take into consideration recent regional and global ICT development agenda, such as smart cities and smart nations, amongst others. 

15. The focus of the Council is very much aligned with the policy and priority of the Ministry of Communications.   It is the priority of the Ministry that its policies are able to produce positive and balanced progress in the ICT sector.  What we are aspiring to achieve is a growing and sustainable ICT sector that generates opportunities and enriches the lives of the people.  Insha Allah, with the right policies and regulations in place, we hope that we can achieve the desired impacts and changes, as we aim to improve Brunei Darussalam’s ranking in the ICT Development Index that I’ve mentioned earlier.

16. From the regulatory perspective, the Regulatory authority plays a key role in giving reassurances and confidence to the public.  At the same time, the regulatory authority must also ensure that the correct practices are in place, in order to maintain a balanced and nurturing environment, for ICT or telecommunication operators to grow and florish. 

17. Hence, with the emergence of new technologies that are complex in nature, it is important for AITI, as the regulator for ICT industry, to continue adopting a facilitating and industry promoting approach.  This would mean, amongst others, strengthening collaborations with the players of the industry as well as forging links with regulators of other sectors.  

18. I believe this is now the inevitable avenue.  With challenges such as data protection issues, cross-border transactions and cybersecurity, it is very important for regulators to address these challenges collectively.  This will create a sustainable, secure and reassuring environment where investors and users have trust in the technology and are able to play their respective roles, confidently. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,  

19. To conclude my speech today, I wish for a successful and rewarding journey for Progresif Pay, Powered by BIBD NexGen.  I am confident that the launch today is only the beginning of more innovative collaboration to come between the Banking Sector and Telecommunication Operations.  I look forward to hearing more of such collaboration, and I am confident that this strategic partnership will become a source of inspiration for many others out there to innovate and be digital. 

Thank you. 

Wabillahi Taufik Walhidayah Assalamualaikum Warahmahtullahi Wabarakatuh.