• Today: August 24, 2026

Digital push targets stronger local businesses

Local enterprises, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), will receive continued support to adopt digital technologies, develop skills and participate in pilot projects as Brunei Darussalam advances its Digital Brunei 2030 agenda.

The government will also place greater emphasis on data and artificial intelligence (AI) to help businesses improve decision-making, productivity and innovation, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Mohammed Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohammed Yunos said on Monday.

Speaking during the Second Meeting of the 22nd Legislative Council (LegCo) session, the minister said appropriate performance indicators will be used to measure the adoption of digital technologies, including digital payments and AI, as well as the benefits they deliver to local enterprises.

FILES – Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Mohammed Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohammed Yunos. PHOTO: INFOFOTO

He was responding to a question from LegCo member Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck on efforts to ensure the implementation of Digital Brunei 2030 produces tangible results for local businesses.

The minister said Digital Brunei 2030 serves as the national roadmap for digital transformation, providing a framework for developing the Sultanate’s digital ecosystem across the government, society and business sectors through to 2030.

The plan was developed through engagement with stakeholders, including Chambers of Commerce, to ensure the needs and aspirations of different sectors were taken into account.

To translate digital transformation into greater productivity, innovation and competitiveness for local businesses, the ministry is focusing on four key strategies: Digital Government, Digital Society, Digital Business, and Data and AI.

Under Digital Government, efforts will focus on expanding digital services and applications in government service delivery while streamlining processes and reducing bureaucracy.

Digital Society will focus on improving digital literacy and skills among the public and workforce to ensure the country has the human resources needed to meet the demands of the digital economy.

Through Digital Business, the government aims to encourage greater adoption of technology and secure and efficient digital payments to simplify business transactions, reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.

Meanwhile, the Data and AI strategy aims to strengthen the ability of local enterprises to use data, artificial intelligence and analytics to make better decisions, improve productivity and develop more innovative products and services.

FILES – A customer pays using digital payment. PHOTO: JAMES KON

The minister said the four strategies are closely connected, with more efficient processes improving productivity, access to data and AI encouraging innovation, and a digitally skilled workforce strengthening the ability of businesses to compete, including in regional markets.

He stressed that a digital transformation plan could only produce meaningful results if it was effectively implemented, monitored and continuously improved.

Continued engagement with the private sector, academic institutions and industry players would therefore be important to gather feedback, assess progress and identify challenges as technology and business needs evolve.

The ministry will also continue supporting local enterprises, particularly SMEs, through digital adoption initiatives, skills development and pilot projects aimed at overcoming barriers to technology adoption.

The minister said successful digital transformation cannot be achieved by the government alone and requires cooperation among the public and private sectors, academic institutions and society.

Policies and initiatives should be practical and business-friendly, while technology should remain accessible at an appropriate cost and opportunities to develop digital knowledge and skills should continue to expand, he added.

“Digital Brunei 2030 is not simply about technology, but about the benefits that can be generated through technology,” the minister said.

The ultimate goal is for enterprises of all sizes to harness digital technology to become more productive, innovative and competitive, both domestically and regionally.

“Technology is a tool. The measure of our success is the extent to which that tool can increase productivity, create opportunities and deliver tangible benefits to the people and local enterprises,” he said.

 

SOURCE/AUTHORN : BORNEO BULLETIN/JAMES KON

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