In efforts to drive digital development, a global industry body on 3 November 2020 partnered with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporate (MDEC), Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), and the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA).
The organisation’s Head of Asia Pacific stated that the collaboration between the digital industry and policymakers is key to the advancement of digital societies in the Asia Pacific. And now it’s essential, as Asia Pacific nations build resilient economies for post-pandemic recovery. The recent agreements with Malaysia, Pakistan, and the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association show how the organisation is helping Asia Pacific countries drive their digital transformation.
In its partnership with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporate (MDEC), the organisation will provide and empower digital skills to Malaysian citizens, in addition to enabling digitally powered businesses and driving digital sector investments and innovation.
The CEO of MDEC stated that the agency aims to encourage Malaysia-based multi-national companies to help build the nation’s digital ecosystem and support local digitally powered businesses to become global players. And I commend the GSMA for its proactive support of organisations as they prepare for 5G and digitalisation.
The partnership with Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) will focus on mobile broadband as the foundation of an inclusive “Digital Pakistan”. The MOU is a great endorsement of the Digital Pakistan vision and the government looks forward to working with the organisation on further strengthening their relationship and showcasing Pakistan on the regional and global platform as a Digital Leader, the Federal Minister, IT & Telecommunication, Pakistan, said.
Lastly, partnership with PITA, a non-profit organisation that represents the interests of small island nations in the Pacific Region in the field of telecommunications, will involve encouraging innovation and progress to leap forward towards a digital society. The organisation is taking a proactive effort in supporting organisations to ensure they continue on their paths towards digitalisation, including boosting deployment of connectivity, the PITA’s President concluded.
Supporting local digitalisation in Malaysia
MDEC has been at the forefront of the vision to empower Malaysia’s local businesses for several years now. In a recent report, OpenGov Asia highlighted how MDEC is in a unique position to encourage grassroots engagement by sharing resources that fairly involve all stakeholders in society; investment through training, subsidies, incentives, grants and loans are all important to achieve the goal of digital participation, especially during these challenging times.
Just as steam engines trigger the use of fossil fuels to aggravate the current climate crisis, the power of IR 4.0 technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, material internet (IoT), robotics and crypto will determine the quality for human beings whether they provide well-being or vice versa.
Taking on the responsibility of digitising Malaysians who are ‘affected’ by this transformation, the role of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) is being implemented accordingly. The agency is responsible for ensuring the widespread dissemination and use of IR 4.0 tools in advance so that the community is aware of the challenges that are inevitable not only in Malaysia but also globally.
The main philosophy that drives the penetration of IR 4.0 technology in the Malaysian digital economy is to achieve common prosperity for all citizens. The current global crisis is an opportunity to place the country in a position where it can prepare for a better future with greater possibilities as well as by placing the community at the centre of IR 4.0 technology. Strategic partnership with international organisations is one of the main ways in which this can be done.