PIKOM ALL SET FOR WCIT 2008

PIKOM extends hand to boost ICT industry revenues during WCIT

As co-host of the World Congress of IT 2008 (WCIT 2008), PIKOM, the National ICT Association of Malaysia, is proud to announce several dynamic activities that it will organise in conjuction with the event. These include two showcases, several plenary meetings and dialogue sessions with business luminaries.

During WCIT 2008 (May18-22), PIKOM will also launch Projek M.A.IN PC , a corporate social responsibility initiative of the ICT industry to address the digital divide challenges in the country.

WCIT 2008 is expected to provide a platform for successful collaborations via a series of business-to-business, business-to-Government and business-to-industry meetings, and the fringe activities planned by PIKOM will definitely serve to further promote the local ICT industry and provide opportunities for local businesses to network with global players.
This is in line with PIKOM’s role in growing the size and capability of the ICT industry in the country by creating opportunities for its members as well as all Malaysians to capture the benefits offered by advances in ICT.

PIKOM ‘s activities during WCIT are also part of its larger mission to help position the country as a strategic location for outsourcing services and as a gateway of Asia for ICT trade. The shared services and outsourcing (SSO) industry is a key segment of the ICT industry and is represented by PIKOM through its Outsourcing Malaysia (OM) initiative.

The events will facilitate PIKOM to introduce its members and companies to international bodies, industry leaders and governments. The exhibitions will be excellent platforms for local companies to showcase their products and services and through which business opportunities can arise.

Via the activities planned, business-to-business (B2B) networking opportunities will also be enabled. These can be effective to boost up business for PIKOM members.

PIKOM is confident that local ICT companies will gain from this experience and these companies will ink deals with foreign businesses during WCIT. US$100m in trade and investment deals are expected to be announced during the five-day event.

To better understand the outcomes and revenues generated, polls will be conducted by PIKOM during and after WCIT. Following WCIT, PIKOM will also submit position papers and recommendations to the Government and relevant organisations on follow up policy initiatives and action plans to further boost Malaysia’s ICT export.

Showcases
The two showcases planned by PIKOM in conjunction with WCIT 2008 event which will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 18 – 22, are:
1. The Software and Services Showcase (PS³) 2008
2. The PC Fair International 2008

The PS³ (pronounced as PS cube) is a business technology event aimed at promoting the software and services industry in Malaysia. The three-day event themed “Where Business and IT Come to Life” will play host to the very best software and services providers in the country. 30 local companies will take part in this exhibition.

PS³ will be a good platform to provide visibility for local companies and their products and services as well as stimulate interest among business visitors of PIKOM PS3. This event provides an excellent stage for business matching on the local and international level.

PS³ 2008 is endorsed by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, MDeC, the World IT and Services Alliance (WITSA), Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organisation (ASOCIO), Outsourcing Malaysia and the Asia Pacific Internet Association (APIA). PS³ will be held on May 19 -21 May at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

During WCIT, a special edition of PC Fair known as the PC Fair International 2008 will be held at the same venue. This cash-and-carry exhibition will offer ICT hardware and software bargains for delegates, business visitors and general public during their visit to WCIT 2008. 26 exhibitors will take part in this event.

Plenary meetings and dialogues
PIKOM will also organise the following meetings and dialogues during WCIT 2008:
1. World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) Annual General Meeting –17-18 May.
2. Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO) Plenary Meeting on 22 May.
3. A dialogue session with Mr Terry Thoren, the CEO of Rocket Fish Studios on 19 May.

Mr Thoren is an entertainment industry veteran who has vast knowledge on issues relating to creative content, animation and new media. This session will have him sharing his thoughts on personal experience in the creative industry for the benefit of our multimedia and content business members..

4. A dialogue session with Dato' Dr. Craig R. Barrett, the Chairman of Intel Corporation on 19 May. The session will discuss PC literacy, PC penetration, broadband penetration and challenges of Digital Divide faced by Malaysia. The aim of the dialogue is to identify key initiatives to bridge the Digital Divide in the country.

5 An exclusive dialogue on Shared Services and Outsourcing (SSO) on 20 May. The session will have Michael F. Corbett, the Chairman of the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (AIOP) and Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom), sharing their views on the best practices in SSO. The dialogue session will also discuss challenges faced by the local SSO industry and ways to accelerate SSO revenues for Malaysia.

6. PIKOM-Korea ICT Business Forum on 20 May. Organised jointly by PIKOM and Korea International IT Cooperation Agency (KIICA), the forum which will include a networking dinner will have a total 15 companies from Korea participating. The forum will discuss the ICT trends in Korea and Malaysia, as well as the ICT business market place.

7. China Dialogue Session on 20 May. The business forum and networking session will discuss the ICT business opportunities in both the countries and introduce Chinese companies interested to venture into Malaysia. 11 companies from China are expected to take part in this dialogue session. Memorandum of Collaboration are planned to be signed to strengthen the relations between PIKOM and its Chinese counterparts for future business facilitations.

8. Projek M.A.IN PC Launch
PIKOM will launch its CSR programme, Projek M.A.IN PC or Projek Menguasai Applikasi INternet dan PC on 19th May. This programme aims to increase community PC centres nation-wide especially in small towns and rural areas, and to extend support services to existing PC centres. This is the ICT industry’s initiative to increase and improve the IT literacy rate among Malaysians from all walks of life in bridging the digital divide.

WCIT will organise an auction during the WCIT Gala Dinner on 20 May and all proceeds from the evening will go to supporting Projek M.A.IN PC.

9. MP3plus (The IT Industry Rock Band)

The 7-piece band which was sponsored by PIKOM and formed by its members kicked off in 2001 at the urging of its then Chairman Looi Kien Leong and Molly Cheam of the Secretariat. Over the last 7 years, MP3plus has performed at more than 50 ICT related functions as well as fund raising events for charities. It is a versatile group with a repertoire of more than 250 songs covering different genre and languages from the 60s to the latest hits.

"MP" stands for Members of PIKOM and "3" because it started with three founding members, viz. Harres Tan (Band Manager & Vocalist), of HT Consulting, Stan Singh (Drum & Bass) of Mui.dot.com Sdn Bhd and Christopher Chan (Keyboard) of TMS Bhd. The "plus" was added when current members viz. Woon Ching Ming (Guitar) of Symantec, Gerry Pillai (Lead Guitar) of iContent Sdn Bhd, Nantha Kumar (Lead Vocal) of BasisBay and Robert Chua (Bass) of iLab joined the band. Please see attached photo file.

MP3plus will be performing the Opening Gambit as well as playing for the Dance Party during Gala Dinner on 20th May.