Ministry Wraps Up ICT Fact-Finding Tour Of N America
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Canada Technology Triangle (CTT) and the success story of the Waterloo Regional Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Ontario, Canada was the main reason a high-level delegation from Brunei visited the area recently.

In partnership with International Trade Canada, CTT Inc organised a briefing on technology, entrepreneurship, research and post-secondary educational excellence that continue to be the drivers of growth in the regional economy.

The delegation was led by the Minister of Communications, Pehin Dato Hj Awg Abu Bakar and includes other representatives from the ministry specialising in Research & Development and Information Technology. The delegation also included Pg Dato Hj Ismail, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office. The Ontario visit was part of a larger North American tour which focuses on places known for excellence in technology and commercialisation.

A recent Brunei government initiative to diversify the economy places emphasis on the communications technology and high tech opportunities in the global marketplace.

The Brunei Economic Development Board recently launched the ICT Development Centre which will begin operations in August this year. An opportunity to investigate collaborative partnerships for the Brunei University Research and Technology Centre is also on the agenda.

During the visit to the Canada Technology Triangle, the group received presentations by the new President and CEO of the University of Waterloo Research & Technology ParkAccelerator Centre, Dr. Gerry Sullivan, UW President David Johnston, Schlegel Centre Executive Director Steve Farlow and Anthony Vartnelli, Associate Dean, Research & External Partnerships.

Regional Chair Ken Seiling and CTT Inc CEO John Tennant also met with the delegation. The tour wrapped up with a visit to the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.

Bill Elliot, the Director of Business Development for Canada Technology Triangle Inc, said his organisation is eager to learn more about the opportunities to develop business and partnerships with Brunei as it grows and diversifies the economy.

The visit also provided- an opening to investigate the potential linkages that could lead to new collaborations. High tech and manufacturing enterprises are of growing importance to the country's economy.

Pehin Hj Abu Bakar was recently on four-day visit to the US and a three-day working visit to Canada. The working visit that focused on the LCT sector was aimed at gaining ICT knowledge acid experience of the government of the United States and Canada in successfully implementing their ICT related, projects, in particular e-Government.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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