Business

Wednesday July 22, 2009

Ongkili: ICT sector to grow 7% this year


KUALA LUMPUR: The information, communications and technology (ICT) industry is forecast to grow 7% this year if business confidence and the equity market see a strong pick-up, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili.

He said that last year, the industry sectors, including hardware, software, solutions and service providers, contributed about RM40bil to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP), a 2% decline from the previous year.

In 2007, the ICT fields contributed RM48bil to Malaysia’s GDP, a 10% increase from 2006, Ongkili said.

“The ICT industry before the economic crisis was forecast to grow over the next few years at an average annual growth rate of 10%, making Malaysia one of the fastest ICT growing markets in Asia,” he said during a media briefing after witnessing a document exchange ceremony between Mimos and its technology recipient.

According to Ongkili, the ICT industry, which is based on innovation, will continue to flourish. He also emphasised that at Mimos, research and development was being conducted based on market needs to ensure that technology could be commercialised for sustained growth.

Mimos yesterday transferred its technology platforms to three local companies, Jaring Communications Sdn Bhd, Mutiara.Com and Smart Computing Sdn Bhd.

Mimos also exchanged technology licensing agreements with six local companies: Disability Solutions Sdn Bhd, Alam Teknokrat Sdn Bhd, Innovision Business Solutions Sdn Bhd, Phytofolia Sdn Bhd, Quantum Beez Sdn Bhd and Fabtronic Sdn Bhd.

Mimos president and chief executive Datuk Abdul Wahab Abdullah said that upon execution of the technology licensing agreement, the organisation would transfer the technology platforms to the recipients to develop their own targeted verticals or market segments.

“The target is to have more than 100 technology transfer applications by year-end,” Abdul Wahab said.

Mimos also exchanged a memorandum of understanding with nine local companies: Extol MSC Sdn Bhd, Ashtech Systems Sdn Bhd, Mexter MSC Sdn Bhd, WannaStation.com (M) Sdn Bhd, Content Capital Sdn Bhd, Pentasoft Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Orea Technologies Sdn Bhd, My-Partners Surveillance Solutions Sdn Bhd and Digicert Sdn Bhd. — Bernama

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