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 Bandar Seri Begawan – The Deputy Permanent Secretary
at the Ministry of Defence, Pg Dato Paduka Mashor bin Pg Ahmad expressed his gratitude and appreciation
to the Brunei Darussalam Computer Association (PKBD) for its continuous
efforts to organise the BITEX Exhibition, the
oldest IT exhibition in Brunei.
Speaking at the official launch of BITEX 2006 at The Mall in Gadong yesterday, Pg Dato Paduka Mashor, who was the
chief guest at the function, said that the exhibition not only acts as a
platform for the promotion and knowledge of ICT development.
"It has also played an important role towards IT development
in the country," he said. This year's exhibition carries the theme
"Bridging People in Different Sectors".
 "In this century, I believe we should be
up-to-date and accept the need to materialise and
at the same time upgrade' ICT progress, in line with the government's
aspirations through the 8"' National Development Plan, in which ICT
fields should be promoted and further developed," added the Deputy
Permanent Secretary.
These efforts, he said, should not only be shouldered by the
government parties concerned but should also include the pro-active
involvement from the private sector and members of the public as consumers.
Pg Dato Paduka
Mashor said the government placed the importance
of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in various fields
including in the industrial and education sectors. In addition, the
national strategies among others focus on e-Government, e-Business and
e-Brunei sectors in line with the national vision of "Brunei to exploit Information
Technology to its potential for national prosperity".
Meanwhile, Hjh Hairati
Dato Paduka Hj Muhammad, Chairperson of the Organising
Committee ofBITEX 2006 in her welcoming remarks
said that the BITEX Exhibition was pioneered by PKBD back in 1993 as an
initiative of PKBD to contribute to the national effort to make JCT a key
engine of growth and to diversify the economy.
PKBD in conjunction with BITEX 2006 also organised
a donation in the form of 10 ICDL (International Computer Driving Licence) Educational Packages to orphans selected from
the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah Fund for the
Orphans. ICDL is the basic literary skill certificate recognised
internationally in 140 countries in 40 different languages.
The ICDL packages were also donated jointly by ICDL Asia Pacific
Co. Ltd based in UK, Local Business Partners for ICDL and participating ATCs (namely Laksamana
College of Business, Had Technologies, Behest Computer School, Civil
Service Institute, and Had Technologies).
One of the highlights of BITEX 2006 is the chance to win
attractive prizes by participating in the lucky draw, which will be held on
the last day of the trade fair. Attractive prizes include a trip to Hong
Kong Disneyland, 3 nights stay at Nusa Dua Bali, e-speed modem and registration, computer
accessories, hotel stays, electrical items, and food vouchers.
A total of 17 companies occupying 40 booths, representing the
national airline, telecommunications providers, computer resellers and
banks are taking part in BITEX 2006. The five-day BITEX 2006 is currently
open to the public from 10am to 10pm daily until 5th March.
Also present at the launch were Dato Paduka Hj Ali Hashim bin Hj Daud, CEO of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah who is also Chairman of the Pengiran
Muda Mahkota Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah Fund for the Orphans, Honorary Chairman of the
Brunei Darussalam Computer Association Hj Mohd Mahathir Abdullah, IT exhibitors and other invited
guests.
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