The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and the Authority for Info-Communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), paving the way for greater collaboration by both countries in the area of information and communication technology.

The MOU signed by Mr Leong (left) and Pengiran Hj Mohd Salleh bin Pg Aji paves the way for greater collaboration on ICT adoption in key economic sectors.

The MOU, signed by Mr Leong Keng Thai, Deputy Chief Executive of IDA, and Pengiran Hj Mohd Salleh bin Pg Aji, Assistant Chief Executive of AITI, marks the first step towards both countries exchanging information and experiences on ICT adoption in key economic sectors. Under the MOU, Singapore and Brunei will identify ICT projects for possible collaboration, which would involve the participation of companies from both countries.

“Both Brunei and Singapore will benefit from the ICT collaboration under the MOU,” said IDA. “The experience-sharing in the area of ICT adoption will benefit the two agencies and the private sector in the two countries will gain from the projects under the MOU.”

Mr Leong noted there were many similarities between Singapore and Brunei, both of which are small nations relying on their human resources. Both countries also believe strongly in using ICT to enhance the competitiveness of their economies, he said. Like IDA, AITI’s aim is to provide Brunei with a dynamic, innovative and vibrant ICT industry.

He said that the MOU would increase the opportunities for Singapore and Brunei to share their experiences in ICT adoption in both the government and private sectors, as well as further business and technological partnerships. The exchanges would also help foster greater understanding of how both countries’ ICT sectors operate.

Pengiran Hj Mohd Salleh described the signing of the MOU as another milestone in efforts by AITI and IDA to reinforce their already strong relations. He looked forward to a fruitful collaboration under the MOU, and hoped it would contribute towards the implementation of the e-Government initiative in Brunei.