The Minister of Development, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdullah Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, launched the 'Brunei Spatial Data Infrastructure' (BSDI) at Dewan Betabur of the Ministry of Development yesterday morning.

According to Surveyor General Hj Mohd Jamil Hj Mohd Ali, the launching of the BSDI is one of the outcomes from the 'e-Map' contract, which was signed on April 21, 2007 between His Majesty's Government through the Department of Survey and local company Selective Powertech Consulting.

Through this infrastructure, the nation will reduce duplication efforts among agencies and improve quality and reduce costs related to geographic information. The project will also make geographic data more accessible to the public, increase the benefit of using available data, establish key partnerships with government agencies, academia, the public and private sector, and increase data availability.

As the project involves sophisticated technology, various changes have been made during its 12-month implementation. Among the changes were switching the IBM server to Sun Server; Dell Window Server to a much-capable Dell Windows Server; ESRI software to CARIS software for Survey and Land Department; and, the addition of Oracle Application Servers for both departments.

Borneo Bulletin, April 24, 2008 - By Lyna Mohamad