Maximising the use of national ICs
July 13, 2004 (Tuesday)

Dato Paduka Buntar bin Osman, Chief Executive of Authority for Infocommunications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AiTi) delivering his welcoming speech.

Brunei initiated another SmartCard awareness programme yesterday to highlight various new applications, experiences and even success stories from neighbouring countries. It is hoped that the programme would bring great benefit to the people of the country.

This was conveyed by Dato Paduka Buntar bin Osman, Chief Executive, Authority for Infocommunications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam in his welcoming speech during the opening ceremony of a SmartCard Awareness seminar that was held at the premises of Ministry of Communications.

He added that yesterday's seminar would become another important milestone in their learning curve to maximise the use of our National Identity Card and perhaps to explore other SmartCard applications as a useful business tool and the public service sector, in particular.

This event was jointly hosted by the Authority for Info communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AiTi) & ALIF Technologies Sdn Bhd. Pengiran Haji Mohd Salleh bin Pg Haji Kamaruddin, Acting CEO of Alif Technologies was also present at the ceremony.

The objective of the seminar was to create awareness on the possibilities and features, which can be offered to the public through the use of SmartCards and how it can be integrated into various applications.

The participants would be updated with the latest trends in SmartCard technology. Participants were also able to learn the latest applications in SmartCard technology and had the opportunity to gain further insight from experiences and success stories in neighbouring countries.

With over one billion microprocessor smart cards in circulation today, SmartCards are regarded as the fastest and most efficient way to secure electronic commerce, web intranet, extranet and workgroup applications and to generate associated revenues.

Rapid growth of the microprocessor market has attracted newcomers, such as IT vendors and microprocessor vendors, who view this technology, as one of the most resourceful ways to boost electronic commerce and secure computer access.

Brunei Darussalam is one of the first countries to implement the world's first SmartCard based National Identity card.

A presentation from MyKad of Malaysia was also held as a guide in learning from Malaysia's experience of implementing their MyKad applications as well as to envisage the way forward for the implementation of SmartCard technology.

The seminar was attended by representatives from various government agencies and the private sector.