EXPERIENCE the latest innovation and technology from around the world.
Take part in competitions, panel discussions, and be amazed with buildings and streets in Penang being transformed into technology showcase sites during the 10-day TECHFEST2020, happening next year.
The inaugural TECHFEST2020, which will be held from Sept 11 to 20 next year, is the exhibition component of the World Congress on Information Technology 2020 (WCIT2020).
The WCIT, which is the largest and the most reputable international event among worldwide IT leaders, will be held from Sept 14 to 16 at Setia SPICE Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The WCIT2020 will be the 24th edition of WCIT and it is returning to Malaysia. Malaysia last hosted WCIT in Kuala Lumpur in 2008.
The National ICT Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) chairman Ganesh Kumar Bangah said the Kuala Lumpur WCIT2008 brought in RM8.3 billion of investment to Malaysia.
“We are hoping that the WCIT2020 will bring in RM10 billion of investment to Malaysia.
“We hope that by organising it in Penang, most of that investment will come to Penang.
“We want to showcase how digital technology will influence our lives in the next 10 years (2030),” Ganesh told a press conference at Penang Development Corporation (PDC) today.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang was happy to host both the WCIT2020 and TECHFEST2020.
“The state has appointed investPenang to be the lead agency for the WCIT2020. It will be working together with WCIT Sdn Bhd, a company set up by PIKOM, to organise the event.
“As for the TECHFEST2020, we have assigned the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to be the lead agency to help organise the event, which will be held mainly at the George Town Heritage Sites,” Chow said.
He added that the TECHFEST would remain as a ‘Penang event’ if the state decides to continue with organising such fest in the future.
“It can be held on the island or the mainland,” he said.
TECHFEST2020 is hosted by the Penang government, co-organised by PIKOM, and enabled by the Communication and Multimedia Ministry and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
Malaysia Development Corporation (MDEC) chief operating officer Datuk Ng Wan Peng said the events open more opportunities for people in Penang to be more active in technology development and innovation.
WCIT2020 and Penang TechFest2020 organising committee chairman Chin Chee Seong hoped that the Penang2030 vision would be a success through the events.
On a similar matter, Chow announced the formation of a steering committee for the events.
Among the members of the steering committee were state executive council members Jagdeep Singh Deo, Zairil Khir Johari, Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain and Yeoh Soon Hin.
For more details, visit www.techfest.my
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Law Suun Ting