Malaysia raises her flag high as the National Tech Association of Malaysia, PIKOM – in collaboration with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, MDEC; is declared as the winner to host the next World Congress On Information Technology, WCIT for the year 2020.
Ganesh Kumar Bangah, the Chairman of the National Tech Association of Malaysia, PIKOM shares in his acceptance speech that the upcoming WCIT2020 MALAYSIA will be taking place in Penang as he receives the symbolic crystal of WCIT from Armenia. The Chief Minister of Penang YAB Chow Kon Yeow, accompanied by the Penang delegation – which included the state minister of Penang for Public Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation, Zairil Khir Johary; Penang city mayor, Dato’ Ar. Yew Tung Seang, Invest Penang as well the Penang2030 unit; commends Armenia for an excellent organization of WCIT2019.
“Congratulations to Armenia for a successful 23rd congress of 2019. Now that you have set a great benchmark for us, we will ensure to take WCIT2020 Malaysia to another level next year when it is held in Penang next year,” enthuses the Chief Minister.
WCIT is a prestigious and reputable international convention among worldwide IT leaders. It is a signature event of the World of IT and Services Alliances (WITSA) since 1978. Madam Yvonne Chiu, Chairman of WITSA as well as Dr James Poisant, the secretary-general of WITSA are present as Armenia hands over the title host of WCIT for the year 2020 to Malaysia. Due to take place from the 14 to 16 Sept 2020 in Penang, WCIT2020 MALAYSIA sets Penang as the gateway to Southeast Asia to the world and the world to Southeast Asia; punctuated with an immersive technology festival of tomorrow – Penang TECHFEST2020 is a 10-days affair that will turn streets and buildings of the charming Penang into a haven of technology conversations and showcases. Expected to attract the participation of some global 4,000 visionaries, captains of industry, government leaders and academics that span across 80+ countries, WCIT2020 MALAYSIA includes discussions to debate the implications in technology advancement to social, political and economic trends. With a population of 650 million people in South East Asia, WCIT2020 Malaysia aims to connect and power the conversations of tomorrow and the collaboration due from the quantum-leaps of transformations of the various nations here through the digital economy as a result of technological adoption, digital innovation and foreign investment.
To be organised by the National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) and enabled by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC); WCIT2020 MALAYSIA and Penang TECHFEST2020 will be hosted by the Penang State Government which aims to reframe and renew perspectives through direct experiences with cutting-edge technologies that are changing the way we live. The thematic of WCIT2020 MALAYSIA, Connecting The World, calls on the need for digital inclusivity especially in holding technology on its promise to advance humanity. There will be conversations on the consequence of the latest social, political and economic trends to its impact on the longevity of disruptive and innovative solutions. Additionally, there will be smart matching of B2B meetings to ensure stronger outcomes for businesses that are participating.
Malaysia last hosted WCIT in the year 2008. The Kuala Lumpur WCIT2008 secured a total sales and investments worth RM8.3billion with more than 20,000 jobs created. 800 business meetings were held over the same duration capturing over RM1.24billion of business opportunities for the Malaysian ICT industry. RM2billion worth of potential investments were identified through these meetings with 10 FDI and 26 DDI, with additional 13,000 jobs potentiated.
Penang, playing host next year to WCIT2020 MALAYSIA, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a world-renowned colourful tourist stop and a rich melting pot of cultural diversity with never-ending festivals and lip-smacking food. Excellent and strategic in location and international accessibility, it is also a destination of choice for investment with comprehensively designed industrial parks known for its high standard infrastructure facilities. To date, it has earned its name as the Silicon Valley of the East, being home to 39 Fortune 1000 companies, 300 MNCs and 1,000+ thriving technology startups as well as establishing itself as a hub of growth for the E&E industry and BPO-ITO for the global shared services outsourcing industry in Southeast Asia.
Dato’ Ng Wan Peng, Chief Operating Officer of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), says, “This is the second time Malaysia has the honour of hosting WCIT, having hosted the first-in-Asia highly successful 16th WCIT back in May 2008. As the year 2020 has special significance for Malaysians, this is a magnificent opportunity for Malaysia to influence global digital industry trends and policy advocacy and to showcase its innovative role on the digital stage. Malaysia’s geographic location and talent, which is borne out of rich cultural diversity, is uniquely positioned as a hub and gateway into the digital economies of ASEAN, and beyond, to the rest of the world.”
Ganesh Kumar Bangah, Chairman of PIKOM states that he is confident of the targeted RM10Billion in Foreign Direct Investments to be achieved in WCIT 2020 as the South East Asian Digital Economy has just hit USD100Billion and is expected to grow to USD300Billion by 2025. In this light, he hoped that the Malaysia Tech Industry will leverage on WCIT2020 MALAYSIA to showcase their local and regional successes to the World.
Corporations and technology players around the world are encouraged to make use of WCIT2020 MALAYSIA as a platform to explore opportunities to elevate and expand their businesses with a specific focus on Southeast Asia. Updates on WCIT2020 MALAYSIA can be found on http://wcit2020.org/
