We are now experiencing the emergence of a knowledge economy that is highly boosted by the advent of Info-Communications Technology (ICT). The benefits of the borderless world can be utilized through networks between society and government. These networks will lead to the flourishment of knowledge sharing and will eventually narrow the digital divide.

	The Brunei Info-Communication Technology Awards (BICTA) is a component of Asia Pacific Info-Communication Technology (ICT) Award (APICTA) whose vision is to widen the influence of ICT industry in Asia region. Brunei Darussalam is one of the participating countries for the APICTA event which was held annually in a selected participant's country.. The other countries participating for the APICTA event are Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia,
	Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand & Vietnam.

The Asia Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA) is a collaborative network which is not only focusing on knowledge sharing and innovative benchmarking, but also on business facilitation between business communities from the member countries.

APICTA was established to provide a platform for innovativeness and benchmarking for new products from the region. Furthermore, the purposes of APICTA is also to stimulate the economy and trade relations, to encourage technology transfer and business opportunities, to give exposure to investors and to heighten the awareness of the society on regional cooperation. This award is held annually at the participating countries.

Brunei ICT Awards (BICTA) will be held in November 2005 , and in conjunction with the event, a number of activities such as exhibitions, forums and ‘business matching' will be held. The sponsor of the award is the Ministry of Communications and a number of private companies.

Objectives
The main objective of BICTA is to stimulate innovation and creativity in ICT industry amongst individual and associations including SME; to be the benchmark for local company to compete amongst each other and to be nominated in the annually held APICTA.

Among the objectives by the members of countries from the Asia Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA) are:

1. To become a stepping stone for innovation and products
2. Business ties and strategy partnership
3. To give motivation and interest to the young people who indulge in ICT field
4. Student Exchange Program
5. To have data centre whereby, members are able to access them