By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Oct 4: The 27th World Congress on Innovation and Technology 2023 and 6th International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (WCIT-IDECS 2023) is expected to create a positive economic impact of approximately USD145 million (MYR 660 million) on the Sarawakian tech and start-up ecosystem, through Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, as well as sponsorships.
This was stated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during his opening speech at the 27th WCIT 2023 and 6th IDECS 2023 today at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here.
“Sarawak is an attractive investment, business, and tourism destination. We endeavour to be a go-to hub for investors looking to combine business with leisure, with the ultimate goal of uplifting the socioeconomics of the people.
“As the host of WCIT-IDECS 2023, we reaffirm our commitment to advance Sarawak’s vision to become a digital economy powerhouse for the country and region,” he said.
He reiterated that the State is on the right track, as the World Bank recently acknowledged Sarawak as a high-income state with a revenue of RM11.96 billion in 2022.
The Premier today launched the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, a visionary plan to secure Sarawak’s future as a leading digital economy and society in the region, all while maintaining a commitment to environmentally sustainability.
Meanwhile, in his welcoming speech, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, who is the Sarawak State Secretary and WCIT-IDECS 2023 chairman, revealed that the conference had over 3,000 delegates in attendance, both physically and virtually. The exhibition, in the meantime, featured a total of 160 booths.
Furthermore, World Innovation, Technology, and Services Alliance (Witsa) chairman Dr Sean Seah noted in his speech that WCIT 2023 brings all the global tech voices to the table and offers the unique opportunity for everyone, every innovator, tech researcher and start-ups to forge new partnerships and collaborations and expand inclusivity.
According to a press handout from Witsa, the selection of Kuching, Sarawak as the host city propels it into the limelight as one of the official destinations for WCIT, a global signature event of WITSA.
“The global platform, launched by Sarawak Premier, records Malaysia as host to WCIT for the 3rd time after WCIT 2008 and WCIT 2022.
“Only the USA (United States of America) has played host more often, with San Francisco, Washington DC, Virginia and Austin, Texas chosen as host cities in WCIT’s proud history,” it said.
“WCIT 2023 opens today till Oct 6, alongside IDECS 2023 at BCCK, with over 50 partners and sponsors including Huawei, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, Digital Nasional Berhad, Sarawak Energy Berhad, Celcom Digi, iHeal, and MTDC.
“Among the key speakers at WCIT 2023 this year are Mike Walsh, CEO of Tomorrow; Michael R Nelson, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Doug Johnson, Consumer Technology Association; Gina Romero, Founder and Head of Special Projects—Connected Women; and Dato’ Idris Jala, Pemandu Associates.
“The global platform also features the WCIT 2023 Exhibition with exhibitors showcasing the latest trends in innovation and technology.”
Deputy Sarawak Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, and Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Chief Minister of Penang Chow Kon Yeow, Minister of Utility and Telecommunications Datuk Julaihi Narawi, and Witsa chief executive officer (CEO) Dato Dan E Khoo were among those present. — DayakDaily
