Local ICT Industry To Stay Strong, Says MDeC

Source: Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, March 17 (Bernama) -- Growth of the local information and communications technology (ICT) industry will remain strong in view of enormous opportunities it presents and the countrys active participation in the ICTs global front, Multimedia Development Corporation (MdeC)'s chief executive officer Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said today.

Commenting on the impact of the recent election results on the industry, he said the outlook remained positive as global demand for ICT product and services will continue to thrive regardless of political trends.

"We should be grateful that our forefathers have left a healthy democratic system that allows its people to enjoy the freedom of exercising their rights in electing the government," Badlisham said.

"More importantly, we are able to show the world that we live in a mature society and the country remains in a stable and harmonious state despite the election results," he said in a statement.

MDeC is a government-owned corporation established to facilitate the development and promotion of MSC Malaysia, the premier Malaysian ICT initiative.

It is tasked to advise the government on ICT legislation and policies, develop MSC Malaysia as a key growth driver of the economy and set breakthrough standards for ICT and multimedia operations.

Badlisham said from May 18 to 22 this year, Kuala Lumpur will play host to the 16th World Congress of IT (WCIT) with 14 related events that will attract the world to Malaysia and further boost the countrys position as an ideal investment hub.

"This sits well with the nation's ICT development as knowledge will remain as an important ingredient for the countrys future," he said.

"It also augurs well with the MSC Malaysia's vision for a knowledge society where everybody should have equal access to IT infrastructure and the conveniences that come with it."

Among the related events scheduled at WCIT are Mobile Monday Global Summit and the United Nations Global Alliance on ICT and Development (UN-GAID) that will attract key industry visionaries, developers and influential individuals.

It will also allow Malaysian ICT companies to showcase their solutions to the world, hence increasing export potential, according to Badlisham.

"WCIT 2008 is more than just an event. This marks a milestone in Malaysias capability as an ICT hub for the region and apart from attracting the whos who in the worlds ICT industry, WCIT 2008 will also create a high impact on the countrys economy for other industries, especially tourism and retail, in view of the flood of foreign delegates that will be attending the congress and its related events," he said.

He added that with 42,000 expo visitors, 2,500 delegates and 100 speakers from 80 countries, local ICT companies should take advantage of WCIT 2008 to showcase their products to the world.

On Malaysia's potential, Badlisham said the country was still favoured upon as the outsourcing and offshoring location for the region in view of its excellent infrastructure, ready pool of talents, sound ICT policies and cost-effectiveness.

Malaysia was ranked third as the worlds most favourite location for outsourcing and offshoring activities in industry studies by a number of consultancy firms, including AT Kearney and Frost and Sullivan, and this demonstrated Malaysias capabilities in providing world-class solutions and services, according to him.

He said with over 2,000 MSC Malaysia-status companies generating RM13 billion in revenue and RM5 billion in exports last year, the ICT industry was taking its place as the backbone of the country's economy.

Badlisham said the positive trend of local companies venturing into the global market was in line with the increasing role of ICT in providing the strength in innovation that cut across all sectors.

This, he said, would also ensure the continuous growth in the software development and digital content industry.

As the guardian of MSC Malaysia, MDeC will continue to serve the people and ensure that they continue to benefit from the government's initiatives, Badlisham said.

"Malaysia is very adaptable to change and the country will only grow from strength to strength," he said.