BITEX 2003 exhibition opens

'Empowering People With The Knowledge Through Education To Enable Them To Maximise Their Leverage', is the chosen theme for the BITEX 2003 exhibition which was officially opened at the Berakas Indoor Stadium yesterday morning.

Present to officiate the event was the guest of honour, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, the Deputy Minister of Education who was welcomed by the Vice President of Brunei Darussalam Computer Society (PKBD) and Chairperson of BITEX 2003, Dayang Hajah Hairati Dato Paduka Haji Muhammad.

The BITEX Exhibition and Trade Fair is an annual event organised by PKBD which features the latest technology and products in the ICT field. The public needs to enrich themselves with ICT knowledge to create a nation of highly ICT literate and empower individuals to compete in the global community as mentioned by the Chairperson of BITEX 2003 during her speech.

Following this, a speech by the guest of honour mentioned the pros and cons of the use of Internet in the information age.

He added that the use of Internet globally has helped improved the government to deliver public service in which it is more customer-oriented and cost-effective via e-Government drive. This in turn drives the government to cut cost and improve efficiency to meet citizen expectations and improve citizen relationship and facilitate economic development.

The PKBD Bursary Awards to honour the excellence in ICT amongst students was also presented on that day by the guest of honour. This year, awards were given to 3 students from secondary schools that have excelled in BGCE 'O' level in Computer Studies.

After the officiating ceremony, the guest of honour led by the Chairperson of BITEX 2003 proceeded to view the exhibition on Information Technology at the Indoor Stadium.

This year there are a total of 21 exhibitors joining the BITEX exhibition to promote IT products.

The list of exhibitors includes Advance Computer, AV Electronics, Ai-En Enterprise, Bahr Pusat Pendidikan & Maklumat, Beseller Sdn Bhd, Boldtech Sdn Bhd, Focus Computer School, Bridgelink Enterprise, Brunei Shell Petroleum Co Sdn Bhd, CF King Enterprise, Compuline Enterprise, Compunet Computer & Office Systems, Comsoft System, Concept Commercial Suppliers, Futech Enterprise, Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), Islamic Development Bank of Brunei Berhad (IDBB), Mashhor Computer Systems, Netcom Computer House, Persatuan Komputer Brunei Darussalam (PKBD), SK Computer Trading Company and WG Office Supplies.