Ab Rauf led Melaka delegation to conference in Spain

MELAKA: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh (pic) led a state delegation with strategic partner Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to participate in the Smart City Expo World Congress 2023 that was held from Nov 7 to 9 at Barcelona's trade fair institution, Fira de Barcelona, in Spain.

In a statement, the Melaka Chief Minister's Office said the Congress which has been held in Barcelona since 2011 is the world's biggest and most prestigious exposition in the field of urban innovation and smart cities.

"This expo brings together more than 1,000 international companies from 140 countries having expertise in the field of urban innovation and smart cities," it said.

The Chief Minister's Office then said that said Ab Rauf also took this opportunity to introduce smart initiatives implemented by the Melaka government as outlined in the Smart Melaka Blueprint 2035, which also coincides with the direction of the Melakaku Maju Jaya Strategic Plan 2035 (PSMJ 2035) in conjunction with the expo.

"Ab Rauf was also given the honour of hosting a roundtable session, organised by MDEC and attended by several business and industry leaders from Malaysia and Barcelona. It was also joined by strategic partners of MDEC, which also aims to promote Malaysia as a digital hub for smart city solutions in ASEAN," it added.

Others who participated in the session included Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism director-general Elisa Carbonell; Melaka Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Communications Committee chaiirman Datuk Fairul Nizam Roslan; Melaka state executive councillor (exco) for Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh; Melaka deputy exco for Investment, State TVET Industry and Development Datuk Khaidira Abu Zahar; and Melaka ICT Holdings Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Dr Nadzdiana Ab Wahab.

"The participation of the state delegation shows Melaka's commitment in wanting to be at the forefront in implementing smart city solutions initiatives, including promoting integrated online platforms for all state government services through the Melaka Super App (an application for visitors to make purchases in tourist attractions).

"Under the Smart Melaka Blueprint 2035 framework, the state government is now actively implementing various smart initiatives including Big Data Analytics, empowering the Melaka Digital Command Centre as well as implementing the Kampung Digital pilot project (the first initiative in the country to improve the management of population and village administration systems) as a service delivery system solution in rural areas," it said.