Cisco對2008年財政預算案的回應

CISCO: Budget Commentary 2008
Mr. Kumaran Singaram,Managing Director, Cisco Malaysia:

Technologyis a crucial business enabler and a catalyst that not only drives greater productivity and continuous innovation, but also enables national transformation. Countries around the world are using technology to create sustainable economic development, bridge the digital divide and build a platform for citizen-centric government.

They are doing this because technology acts as a booster forproductivity growth. A productivity increase of 3 per cent doubles yourstandard of living in 25 years but a 5 per cent increase doubles your standardof living in 15 years.

Cisco ispleased with the ICT-related initiatives in the National Budget 2008 andbelieves that it will propel greater adoption of technology across all industries. Significantly, the adoption of leading-edge ICT solutions by SMBs will help to ensure the long-term competitiveness ofMalaysia in the global economy.

Cisco supports the government's efforts to increase the broadband penetrationrate to 50% of households by 2010, from the current 12%. We believethe push for effective public-private partnership to accelerate the roll-out ofbroadband will encourage greater uptake of communications technologies thatunify data, voice and video.

This will in turn support greater workforcemobility, generate corporate efficiencies and enhance consumer experiences. We applaud the continued emphasis of this Budget on strengthening human capital,enhancing innovation and talent development as this will sharpen the nation's competitive edge while creating a favourable investment climate.

We also welcome the further reduction of corporate income taxes which will stimulate the economy. In particular, savings from lower corporate taxes couldspill over into investment in human capital and information technology asMalaysian companies seek to raise the bar in today's globalised market