World Congress on Information Technology 2022
Press Conference Opening Remarks by
YAB Chow Kon Yeow
The Chief Minister of Penang
World Congress on Information Technology 2022
19 January 2022
YB. Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Jailani Bin Muhamed Yunus
State Secretary of Penang
YB. Jagdeep Singh Deo Karpal Singh
Penang State EXCO for Housing, Local Government, and Town & Country Planning
YB. Zairil Khir Johari
Penang State EXCO for Infrastructure and Transport
YBhg. Dato’ Ar. Yew Tung Seang
Mayor of Penang Island City Council (MBPP)
YBhg. Dato Seri Lee Kah Choon
Director of Invest Penang
Dato’ Loo Lee Lian
CEO of Invest Penang
Dato' Dr Ooi Kee Beng
Managing Director of Penang Institute
En. Tony Yeoh Choon Hock
CEO of Digital Penang
Mr. Raymond Siva
CEO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)
Mr. William Lee
International Director of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
Mr. Chang Wen Han
Manager of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Penang
Dr. Sean Seah
Chairman of PIKOM
Mr. Ong Kian Yew
CEO of PIKOM
Mr. Ong Chin Seong
Deputy Chairman of the WCIT2022 Organizing Committee
Distinguished Guests,
Members of the media,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Good afternoon and welcome to today's press conference.
We concluded the 2nd Steering Committee meeting just a short while ago and much progress has been made.
The meeting was attended by state EXCO members and representatives from state agencies such as Invest Penang, Digital Penang, Penang Institute, and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
In addition, we also have representatives from federal agencies, namely, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
Not forgetting, we have our partner, PIKOM, with a strong team in attendance.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Two months ago, Bangladesh handed over the baton to Malaysia, with Penang announced as the host city of WCIT2022.
It is now our turn to shine. We are 8 months away from the event, and as we countdown towards the event, each month, week and day is becoming increasingly critical.
We have lined up some global speakers to headline WCIT2022 including: Nancy Giordano, a strategic futurist; Mary-jo de Leeuw, a cybersecurity leader and one of the 20 most influential persons in tech; Dr Soumitra Dutta of Cornell University and the co-author of the Network Readiness Index; Douglas Comstock, Deputy CFO at NASA and Gina Romero, CEO of Connected Women, a social enterprise impacting 100,000 women; and Dr Bill Magee, founder of Operation Smile that seeks to improve the lives of many underprivileged children.
These are a start to the many more exciting speakers who we expect to make their way to Penang in September for the WCIT2022.
We also intend to include our local champions from both the tech and non-tech worlds in the stellar lineup of speakers. Many are household names, tech unicorns, or established business leaders.
Having an ASEAN focus is also paramount, and we have identified key ASEAN tech leaders and unicorn founders to be part of the discourse during WCIT2022.
Today, we are also pleased to announce Fusionex, a locally based global technology solutions provider, as our technology partner for WCIT2022.
Fusionex will roll out the online platform, conference app and streaming for WCIT2022. With their past credentials of rolling out the PIKOM Virtual Engagement Platform (VEP) and WITSA Global Business Exchange (GBX), I am confident that they are the ideal partner for WCIT2022.
I am optimistic that WCIT2022 will be a huge success for Penang and Malaysia.
With that, allow me to pass the baton to Dr Sean Seah, the Cairman of PIKOM, who will say a few words before we proceed with the rest of the formalities.
Thank you.