Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim 

Alhamdullilahi Rabbil `Alameen Wasaalatu Wassalaamu `Ala Asyrafil Ambiae Walmursaleen, Saidina Muhammadin Wa’alaa Aalihiee Wasahbihee Ajama’een 

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, and a very good morning. 

Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretaries, 

Yang Mulia Haji Mohammad Amirul Shahnoel bin Haji Mohammad Noeh, Chairperson of Brunei Innovation Lab; 

Managing Directors and CEOs, 

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

1. I’m pleased to join you all this morning on the occasion of the 2^nd anniversary of the establishment of the Brunei Innovation Lab. Brunei Innovation Lab was established as an outcome and part of the Brunei Darussalam Digital Economy Masterplan 2025. 

2. Thanks to the four strategic Partners comprising of Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), Shell LiveWIRE Brunei, DST Digital (DST) and Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) the Brunei Innovation Lab was inaugurated in July 2022 with the aim to help drive technology innovation across various sectors through pooling technology and industry resources available to support technopreneurs. Offering them a springboard to launch and accelerate their businesses with advanced access to platforms to develop, test and bring to market new use cases and hence unleashing the potential of innovation both now and in the future. 

3. As such, the Lab is a local ecosystem facilitator to encourage technopreneurs development through a network comprising of developers, start-ups, enterprises, academia and government institutions that also lead to knowledge sharing and collective problem solving. Now, two years down the road, it is worth to reflect on its journey and celebrate its accomplishments in shaping the local innovation landscape. 

4. Why is this important? It is because, innovation is a cornerstone for fostering sustainable economic development, improving quality of life, and to help position ourselves in the regional and wider global economy. Fostering an innovative environment also contributes to improved learning and skills development which are essential for meeting future challenges. Countries that prioritize innovation are also more likely to attract foreign direct investments, as it is also a reflection of the dynamism and progressiveness of the market. In short, innovation is crucial to achieving our long-term success. 

5. Referring to the Global Innovation Index 2023 report, released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), that I have shared before, Brunei Darussalam has recorded performance improvements in the areas of innovation inputs such as education, science and engineering graduates, and ICT access. However, there still remain some areas that require improvement, such as in the areas of R&D expenditure and knowledge-intensive employment. At the same time, other areas that need attention are in the aspect of innovation results or outputs such as creative outputs, knowledge and technology outputs, and market sophistication. 

6. This point was also emphasized in the evaluation of the "Digital Innovation Profile for Brunei Darussalam" conducted by AITI in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) at the end of 2022, which assessed the capacity and level of maturity of Brunei Darussalam's digital innovation ecosystem, especially in creating an ecosystem capable of building new, competitive, sustainable, and future capabilities enabled by ICT innovation. 

7. Among the recommendations that are being addressed and will be addressed include strengthening the digital innovation community, networks and platforms to encourage entrepreneurial culture, investment and further increase our technology readiness. 

8. Hence, the role of Brunei Innovation Lab comes to the forefront in addressing some of these identified gaps. Where we must focus on translating strong inputs, such as education and digital FINAL 6 infrastructure, into impactful outputs that generate long-term economic and societal benefits. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

9. To date, the Brunei Innovation Lab has been an invaluable catalyst in this effort. By providing a dedicated space for experimentation, learning, and collaboration, the Lab has enabled startups, entrepreneurs, and businesses to turn ideas into reality. It has demonstrated the power of public-private partnerships and shown how collective efforts can address the pressing challenges we face today. Whether it’s advancing digital payments, enhancing digital experiences, or fostering sustainable resource management, the Lab continues to be a key contributor of Brunei’s digital economy and innovation landscape. 

10. Looking toward the future, I firmly believe that innovation will remain the cornerstone of Brunei’s progress. Our challenge is not merely to adapt technological changes but to also lead them. By embracing emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of Things, we can position Brunei Darussalam as a forward-looking nation that is actively shaping its own future. 

11. I look forward to learn of the many accomplishments by the Lab. Insya Allah, with the launch of “Brunei Innovation Lab Open Digital Literacy Platform – KLIQ”, we are unveiling a significant new initiative aimed at enhancing digital literacy across all age groups in Brunei Darussalam. This initiative, featuring an innovative digital platform, will act as a gateway for Bruneians to sharpen their digital skills and keep pace with the latest technological advancements. More than just a learning tool, it is designed to ignite passion and cultivate a lifelong dedication to innovation. 

12. This initiative is driven by a deep commitment to nurturing a digitally literate society, and I believe it will play a key role in shaping the future of innovation in Brunei. It is through efforts like these that we can build a culture of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, unlocking new opportunities for the people of our nation. 

13. In concluding, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of this remarkable journey-the innovators, partners, and the entire team behind the Brunei Innovation Lab. Your dedication, vision, and passion have brought us to where we are today, and it is through your continued efforts that we will reach even greater heights. 

14. Let us continue to innovate, inspire, and create positive impact. I wish every each one of us continued success in these endeavors. 

Thank you. 

Wabillahi Taufik Walhidayah, Wassalamu Alaikum Warrahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.