November 24, 2009 – Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam Berhad (BIBD) together with three other participating banks and The Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam this morning signed an agreement that will allow the public to pay their utility bills through the respective banks. It was held at the Theatre Hall, Ministry of Finance building.

Present as the guest of honor was Yang Mulia Awang Hj Bahrin Bin Abdullah, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance. Also in attendance were the Deputy Permanent Secretaries of Ministry of Finance, Energy Division of Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Development, Head of Departments, senior officers and staff of government departments and senior executives and officers of the banks.

The aim of the event was to mark a new beginning to a better and convenient payment services available to the public. As of today, in addition to the traditional departmental payment counters, customers can also now pay their electricity and water bills at the bank’s counters, ATM, Cash Deposit Machine, internet and phone banking. These newly introduced services also offer a more convenient 24-7 payment services with which will hope to encourage customers to pay their bills promptly and thus help to improve the Government revenue collection.

Signing on behalf of His Majesty’s Government was Yang Mulia Dayang Hajah Suriyah Haji Umar, Accountant General of Brunei Darussalam while the participating were represented by Mr Javed Ahmad, Managing Director of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam, Mr. Raymond Albert Bariou, Senior Deputy General Manager of Baiduri Bank, Mr. Tareq Muhmood, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC and Miss Annie Ng, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank.

Rogayah Hj Samsuddin, the E-Banking Manager of BIBD, said that the bank offers bill payment services through its counters, ATMs, cheque deposit machines, online banking and SMS banking. However, customers will have to register themselves at the bank if they wish to use these services.

“Our Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs) are open to all customers,” Rogayah said, adding that non BIBD customers may also use the payment facility to pay their electricity and water bills.

BIBD has a strong coverage of 45 ATMs, five CDMs and six cheque deposit machines located throughout the country.

The guest of honor and other guests also visited BIBD booth outside the hall in the main lobby, where they were demonstrating their offered services.