Brunei Looks To Develop Its Own RFID Solutions
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - It is expected that made in Brunei' RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) solutions would be developed in future.

Like any technology, there will be challenges in its adoption. Therefore, plans and initiatives should be focused on promoting the technology.

This observation was made by Minister of Communications Pehin Dato Awang Hj Abu Bakar bin Hj Apong who officiated the launching of the Pt Radio Frequency Identification Seminar at the Empire Hotel and Country Club in Jerudong yesterday.

The minister, who was also the guest of honour at yesterday's event, noted that the rollout of RFID technology would require the involvement of different agencies.

"Collaboration is important, particularly with relevant agencies such as Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB), higher learning institutions and the private sector, said Pehin Awang Hj Abu Bakar. He also hoped that with the establishment of BEDB's `Innovation Centre', ICT businesses or start-up companies will be able to make their business ideas a reality.

"RFID is certainly a technology worth looking into," he said. "I hope that our local technopreneurs and innovative minds will explore this technology". The minister highlighted that through the Asean Telecommunications Regulatory Council (ATRC) channel, radio frequency spectrum allocation for RFID for some countries have been harmonised including Brunei Darussalam, Singapore and Malaysia.

"Our networking will not stop there," Pehin Awang Hj Abu Bakar said. "We will heighten our regional and international networking so that Brunei will be able to catch up and even be involved in the regional and international initiatives that will benefit our local industry."

Meanwhile, he said that the Brunei government can play a significant role by mandating the usage of RFID, which is to be locally supplied and developed.

"We have encouraged innovation and creativity in this industry... this should be strongly supported by the adoption of the technology and commercialisation of the products," he said, adding that this would ensure the survival of players and thus strengthen the sustainability of the industry.

As RFID is an application that has potential for development and can contribute to future economic growth, the minister highlighted a number of factors that would ensure the successful implementation of the technology. Among them were human resource development, technology certifications, the establishment of RFID network infrastructure, the development of RFID 'informatisation' issue solution as well asthe development of related policies and regulations. The implementation of these factors, Pehin Awang Hj Abu Bakar said, should be pursued in order to realise a sustainable and vibrant industry.

"Both the government and private sector should collaborate to implement important areas such as human resources and technology development," he added.

The minister said that AiTi has come up with plans and initiatives to develop the local human resources to cater for future demands of the industry. "Self-sustainability in developing the applications, particularly RFID, should be pursued without solely relying on foreign companies," he added.

However, he noted that the usage of RFID in Brunei was still very limited, as the country still depends on foreign companies to provide RFID application services. "As a small country with limited human resource, we need to identify a niche area in ICT, which we can be explored by fully utilising the resources that we have," he said, adding that it is important to be selective in developing the country's capabilities. "We have to innovate and not simply imitate," he said.

Earlier, there were speeches by Hj Ibrahim Ali bin Hj Mohd Ali, the chief executive of Authority for Info-Communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AiTi), and Hj Murni bin Hj Mohamed, the deputy CEO of Brunei Economic Development Board.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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