TODAY marks a significant day for Digital Penang as the young state agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Beyond4 to scale the digital economy ecosystem in Penang.
Regarded as the first official collaboration between the three parties, this partnership will look to promote innovative approaches and collaboration in digital trade, encourage ideas and mentoring, support funding opportunities and address challenges of digitalisation.
Digital Penang chief executive officer Tony Yeoh regarded today’s MoU signing as a strategic alignment to further accelerate Penang’s competitiveness in digital economy and to drive the urgency of staying relevant through innovative and digitally-driven initiatives.
“Going forward, global competition will be about the depth and breadth of ecosystems.
“On the back of a vibrant Klang Valley ecosystem, we are very encouraged with Federal efforts to extend into other digital districts such as Penang, Sarawak and other states.
“Through this alignment, we hope to scale the various MDEC programmes such as GAIN, digital investments, talent development and small medium enterprise (SME) digitalisation at the state level,” Yeoh said during the MoU signing ceremony at Eastern and Oriental Hotel in George Town today.
It was learnt that the MoU was signed for a two-year period between the parties involved.
Meanwhile, Beyond4 as an enabler of the digital ecosystem, will inject neutral, non-competing, open vendor ecosystem in accelerator platforms on multiple industry verticals for the post digital era.
Its founder S.T. Rubaneswaran said that Beyond4 is always open to collaborate with international and local partners within a digital ecosystem, to add a robust platform that provides flexibility and preference to align business models.
“We are happy to be invited into this unique partnership with Digital Penang and MDEC.
“And I would like to thank and record my appreciation to MDEC, a Federal Government agency under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia for always staying committed to leading the digital transformation in our country.
“Also, not to forget about Digital Penang. Although still a new kid on the block, the state-based agency is always determined to accelerate efforts to capture opportunities in digital economy and promote a digitally engaged society,” said Rubaneswaran.
During his speech, he also stated that his company would be investing up to RM5 million in the next 36 months, with a plan to execute its ambitious project nationwide.
“We are going to create 5,000 tech specialised Malaysians and create 50 start-ups that will be contributors to the digital economy of Malaysia,” he added.
Meanwhile, MDEC chief executive officer Mahadhir Aziz said that MDEC’s collaboration with Digital Penang and Beyond4 signals another step forward in uplifting Penang’s startup ecosystem through the Federal and state governments as well as private collaborations.
“The goals of both parties (Digital Penang and Beyond4) and their separate initiatives resonate with that of MDEC’s.
“And we are excited to be part of curating quality programmes that will transpire, unlocking new innovation opportunities and forming effective collaborations with stakeholders alike, in line with our vision to lead a progressive and innovative digital economy.
“We look forward to the exciting milestones ahead with both Digital Penang and Beyond4, and having this collaboration to be a significant enabler of digital transformation in Penang, unfolding inclusive and equitable opportunities for all parties,” Mahadhir said during his speech.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix courtesy of The Star