AFTER Penang’s resounding success in hosting the 26th World Congress on Innovation and Technology 2022 (WCIT 2022), Malaysia will once again become the country host for WCIT 2023.
The closing ceremony of WCIT 2022 at Setia SPICE Convention Centre revealed the venue of WCIT 2023 to be in Kuching, Sarawak.
Following the announcement, Malaysia will be the second country to host WCIT thrice and the first in Asia to do so.
Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Bhd chairman Tan Sri Amar Mohamad Morshidi congratulated the WCIT 2022 organisers, Penang government, World Innovation, Technology and Services Alliance (Witsa), and the delegates for successfully hosting and participating in the successful and memorable congress.
“Next year, the participants of the WCIT 2023 will witness the congress in Sarawak, on the exotic island of Borneo.
“Sarawak is a land of infinite possibilities with unlimited potential.
“The WCIT 2023 in Kuching will be the catalyst that sparks a conversation that actively connects people, transform ideas, and grow the multinational digital marketplace.
“We are grateful beyond words to Witsa for giving us this opportunity to host the WCIT 2023,” he said in his speech today.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said WCIT 2022 has livened up to its promise to serve as a catalyst to sustain the recovery of Malaysia’s digital and national economy, post-pandemic.
“I am happy to note that more new jobs from the digital investments will be created in Penang thanks to WCIT 2022 which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the state’s industrialisation.
“Of course, Penangites have a new aspiration to aim for now, and that is our state’s vision for a family-focused green and smart state, incorporating the Penang Digital Initiative,” he said.
Chow was proud and happy to note that WCIT 2022 was ranked as among the largest innovation and tech gatherings not only post-pandemic but also pre-pandemic.
“There were more than 4,000 conference guests; over 60 nations and economies, and with the inclusion of TechFest 2022 that features more than 500 brands,” he said.
National Tech Association of Malaysia (Pikom) chairman Dr Sean Seah announced that more than RM46 billion worth of foreign and domestic digital investments were committed at WCIT 2022 through the inking of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between some of the biggest companies in the global technology and digital arena.
Among those signed today were between Angkasa-X and Ideal Property Group; IHEAL Medical Group and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste; Digital Penang and Microsoft; along with Securemetric and AVM Cloud.
Pikom were also successful in signing MoUs with the Centre for Sustainability Intelligence, the Russian National Software Developers Association (RUSSOFT), ASSESPRO Brazil, 88 Captains, Huawei and the ASEAN China RCEP Chamber.
“These investments are set to further progress Malaysia’s technological advancements, as the country seeks to bridge the gap within South East Asia.
“The success of WCIT 2022 cannot be overlooked as we have minimised the technological divide between Malaysia and some of the most developed countries in the world.
“We have also secured more than 25,000 new job opportunities through foreign and domestic digital investments,” he said.
Earlier before the closing ceremony, Chow and several Selangor executive council members attended a briefing by Wavpay Group of Companies.
Chow and several VIPs also visited the WCIT 2022 exhibition booths and checked out the latest technology in the market.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat