GEORGE TOWN – Penang will play host to the 26th edition of the World Congress on Innovation & Technology (WCIT), a major global event to mark the reopening of high-tech industrial activities, in September.
CNN broadcaster Richard Quest is among those expected to attend the event to provide reporting on the world of technology in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In launching the countdown to the event last night, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow noted that it is being held here in conjunction with its 50th anniversary of the state’s industrialisation as the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone was started in 1972.
“While we appreciate what we have achieved, we want another 50 years of quality industrialisation and investments ahead of us. We hope Penangites support this,” he said.
He said the event will be a magnificent opportunity for Malaysia to welcome influential tech leaders.
“We are ready to meet, share hands and network with the world tech community, who are innovators and forward-thinking personalities. This is the ultimate platform for us,” he said.
Chow said that Penang continues to consolidate its hold on the electrical and electronics sector. Last year, Penang carved out RM83.5 billion of Malaysia’s approved investments worth RM306.5 billion in the manufacturing, services, and primary sectors, he noted.
Moving forward, Chow said that Penang now wants more quality investments – hence, the move towards high-tech manufacturing but such a field requires skilled workers.
It is therefore logical for the state to pursue excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects, said Chow.
World Information Technology and Services Alliance chief executive officer Datuk Dan Khoo hopes that everyone involved in information technology can attend WCIT.
WCIT is co-organised with the National ICT Association whose chairman Sean Seah told the audience that the event can act as a catalyst towards sustaining the momentum in the migration towards a digital economy.
Digitalisation has grown ten-fold globally as nations turn to electronics to escape the stifling conditions imposed on humanity due to the rapidly infectious nature of Covid-19.
The event will see representatives from 4,000 tech companies from 85 countries converging to focus on issues like education, cybersecurity, smart cities, 5G network, blockchains, space tech, artificial intelligence, economic growth, health tech and global positioning systems.
About 200 speakers are expected to share their insights.
Held at the sprawling Setia Spice Convention Centre, the September 13 to 15 event marks a first of sorts, as the biggest hotel in Penang, The Almari Spice Penang, will also open in tandem with it.
The towering hospitality property has over 400 rooms to help position Penang as a leading destination for business travellers and tourism here. – The Vibes, June 18, 2022
