GEORGE TOWN: Hosting the World Congress on Innovation and Technology 2022 (WCIT 2022) shows Malaysia's capability as a competitive digital nation, says the Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the country should be proud that it won the right to host WCIT this year as it showed the country was ready to welcome visitors from all over the world.
"The government hopes WCIT 2022 can make history in accelerating the nation's digital economy by attracting more foreign digital investment to Malaysia, as part of our ongoing efforts to drive the technology and innovation sector," he said at the launch here on Tuesday (Sept 13).
"It is my sincere wish that this platform is utilised in the best way possible to aid discussion, inspire and spark new ideas in the development of technology and innovation to elevate the country to an international level.
"This effort ensures that Malaysia is not left behind in the technology and innovation ecosystem," he added.
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Ismail Sabri launched the event by striking a drum at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas, joined by Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Ismail Sabri said digital literacy will increase awareness of the importance of innovation and technology adoption among Malaysians.
"Our ability to utilise new technology to ensure the country’s recovery (from the Covid-19) pandemic was evident.
"The use of (various) applications also successfully contained the pandemic in Malaysia.
"This is in addition to helping save businesses and jobs as well as ensuring continuity in the learning process," he said.
Also present at the launch were Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa and Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, among others.
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WCIT 2022, to be held until Thursday (Sept 15), will see 4,000 delegates from 80 countries taking part, with more than 10 keynote speakers and over 200 distinguished moderators and panellists.
It is organised by the National Tech Association of Malaysia (Pikom), strategically enabled by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the Communications and Multimedia Malaysia Ministry, and hosted by the Penang government.
Among the topics to be covered are the implications of technological advancements on legal, political and economic trends affecting information and communications technology (ICT) business processes; as well as innovative solutions from breakthrough technologies and business-to-business as well as government-to-government meetings to identify and secure new investment opportunities.
