The Survey Department under the Ministry of Development launched its Brunei Darussalam Geocentric Datum (GDBD 2009). Through the project, the department will gain the advantage of mapping GDBD coordinates that are immediately compatible with global coordinates obtained from GPS and with other coordinate systems adopted in many parts of the world. The system will also allow an efficient exchange of data and linking of products from various information systems.
A global geocentric datum is supported and adopted by a growing number of international organisations like the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) and the International Hydrographic Organisation. The key advantages of the GDBD over Brunei's current datum are that GDBD 2009 is totally compatible with satellite-based navigation systems such as the GPS and with major international geographic systems. The GDBD 2009 will provide very significant and substantial benefits to those using satellite positioning, whether they are operating nationally or internationally.
