MSC MALAYSIA TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION

WCIT 2008 and its related events a stepping stone for SMEs to expand business horizons and go global

Kuala Lumpur: MSC Malaysia is encouraging local small and medium enterprises (SME) to enhance and expand their business networks with a direct access into global markets by participating in the 16th World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2008) on May 18 – 22, 2008.

WCIT 2008 is the first to incorporate an online business matching portal which is expected to generate more than 2,000 structured B2B meetings, business-to-government (B2G) and business-to-industry (B2I) meetings involving the event’s corporate partners, exhibitors and delegates.

WCIT 2008 Chief Executive Officer Dan E. Khoo said: “The event provides a platform for SMEs to forge strategic alliances with global ICT giants and emerging players through a business matching program that can handle more than 2,000 structured B2B meetings. By bringing the world to our door step, WCIT 2008 is a great opportunity to position Malaysia as a serious ICT player in the international arena.”

As part of efforts to encourage local SME participation, companies are eligible to claim reimbursement for expenses from the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) and the Market Development Grant (MDG).

Through this initiative, which is approved by the Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Bhd (PSMB) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), local SMEs who register through Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) Sdn Bhd and the Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry (PIKOM) may only have to pay as low as RM250 with a maximum reimbursement of RM1,500.

The HRDF will reimburse eligible companies for the expenses of employees attending the congress on May 19 – 21. The reimbursement covers delegate fees and daily allowances including food, accommodation, transportation and airfare, where applicable.

Besides WCIT 2008, SMEs can also participate in selected open door Related Events such as:
o Mobile Monday Global Summit (May 19) – The full day event will see a congregation of mobile industry visionaries, developers and influential individuals as a platform to share ideas. The summit consists of 60 chapters representing a total of 70,000 members globally.

o PS3 (May 19 – 21) – The exhibition provides a platform and competitiveness for software and services organisations, to showcase their products and services, which in turn, creates the opportunity for the business visitors of PIKOM PS3 to align and match these with their business needs. In addition, it allows room for business matching on the local and international level for these organisations.
o Grid Computing Conference (May 15 – 16) – Hosted by MIMOS, the Grid Computing Conference offers a platform for users, researchers, developers and solution providers to accelerate grid adoption. Representative from international forum bodies like Open Grid Forum (OGF), Enabling Grids for E-sciencE (EGEE), Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) and other local grid entities will share their views and experiences in this event. SMEs who are interested in joining the event, which is by invitation only, can email Nardiatul Kassim at nardiatul.kassim@mimos.com.my by April 22, 2008 to apply for an invite. Applications are based on a first come first served basis.

Apart from the networking and knowledge sharing opportunity, MSC Malaysia Status companies expected to showcase their latest products and services through the WCIT Expo are Green Packet Berhad, Xybase MSC Sdn Bhd, Silverlake Axis Sdn Bhd, QubeConnect, iTopia Sdn Bhd, Microlink Solutions Berhad and Technodex Berhad.

For further information on WCIT 2008 and its Related Events, please log on to http://www.wcit2008.org.