AFTER more than 10 years, Malaysia has once again been chosen to host the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT), and Penang has been selected as the state to hold the international congress.
WCIT is a signature event of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) since 1978. Malaysia last hosted WCIT in Kuala Lumpur in 2008.
Back then, Kuala Lumpur WCIT2008 secured total sales and investments worth RM8.3 billion with more than 20,000 jobs created. It was reported that 800 business meetings were held over the same duration, capturing over RM1.24 billion in business opportunities for the Malaysian information and communications (ICT) technology industry.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang government could not wait to host the WCIT2020.
“To have the WCIT2020 held in Penang, it would mean that we get to represent Malaysia at the international stage in the field of technology. This is in line with our goal to achieve Penang2030.
“Penang2030: A Family-focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation is the state’s vision and it is built on four main thrusts – to increase liveability to enhance quality of life, to upgrade the economy to raise household incomes, to empower people to strengthen civic participation and to invest in the built environment to improve resilience.
“We are ready to build collaborations and take on challenges in the advent of technology advancement,” Chow said during the WCIT2020 media launch in Nexus Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur today.
Chow said the state was also working alongside the National ICT Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) to organise an ‘island-wide technology festival’ in-conjunction with WCIT2020.
PIKOM chairman Ganesh Kumar Bangah said PIKOM views the WCIT as a global platform to showcase the growing prominence of Malaysia in information technology (IT).
“We want WCIT2020 to position Malaysia as the gateway to Southeast Asia, connecting the world,” he said.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the WCIT2020 is a timely boost to the ministry’s campaign and commitment to promote digital economy and ICT in Malaysia as the new drivers of development.
“Digital economy is an integral component in Malaysia’s journey towards becoming a high-income nation.
“Hosting the WCIT2020 in Malaysia is timely and it provides a good platform for the country to showcase its achievements and vision for the future,” he said.
WCIT2020 will take place in Penang, from Sept 13 to 16 next year (2020) at Setia SPICE Convention Centre.
investPenang will be the state’s lead agency for this international event.
Also present at the media launch were investPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian and WITSA chairman Yvonne Chiu.
Visit www.wcit2020.org for more details.
Story by Christopher Tan