GSMA | GSMA AND MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT BRING TOGETHER TOP POLICY-MAKERS AND INDUSTRY EXPERTS AT KEY SUMMIT TO DISCUSS ASIA-PACIFIC DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION NEEDS


Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – November 22, 2023: The GSMA, in partnership with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), today announced the launch of the GSMA DXAF Digital Transformation Leaders CxO Summit (November 22-23, 2023) in Malaysia.

The two-day summit, held at the JW Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, brings together key government policymakers and leading figures from across the mobile and technology sectors to discuss the key digital transformation needs of Malaysia, and Asia Pacific more broadly, to ensure social and economic prosperity over the next decade.

By 2030, mobile's contribution to the Asia Pacific (APAC) economy is expected to reach nearly $1 trillion (approximately $990 billion), driven largely by improvements in digital transformation and greater adoption of mobile services. According to the Mobile Economy APAC 2023 report recently published by the GSMA, APAC will have around 1.4 billion 5G connections by the end of the decade, representing two-fifths (41%) of total mobile connections. This growth will be driven by concerted efforts by major governments to integrate mobile technologies into many aspects of society, rapid network expansion in many countries, and a drop in the average price of 5G devices.

As a leading country in digital infrastructure, services, applications and platforms in a rapidly growing digital ecosystem in Southeast Asia, Malaysia was selected to host the third edition of GSMA APAC.third CxO Summit of Digital Transformation Leaders in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this year.

Given the importance of 5G to the region, the key focus of the two-day summit will be how to achieve Intelligent digital transformation in the 5G era”, and attendees discussed key topics, including what is needed to drive digital transformation in Malaysia and how to unlock value and monetize 5G. Discussions will focus on opportunities and challenges related to business strategies, technological developments and industry promotion policies to accelerate the intelligent digital transformation of the entire sector in the 5G era.

In addition to Malaysian mobile network operators, keynote speakers include:

  • the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital of Malaysia, Mr. Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil;
  • CEO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, Ts. Mahadhir Aziz;
  • Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) CTIO Shamsul Izhan Abdul Majid; and
  • DNB Co-CEO Datuk Ahmad Zaki Bin Zahid.

We are pleased to share that Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Global Digital Innovation Network (GDIN) will work together to enrich Malaysia's ecosystem with digital transformation use cases, best practices and digital opportunities. This collaboration aims to advance the country's digital economy through GDIN's extensive network and expertise as a catalyst for global technological innovation.

Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), said: MDEC supports the Government's move to unlock the potential of digital technology for a better future, and MDEC plays a pivotal role in Malaysia's digital economy. . Our mission as a catalyst is to build a digitally inclusive nation where innovation knows no limits. MDEC actively strengthens the technology ecosystem, offering crucial support and resources to cultivate innovation, foster growth, and drive digital transformation. By fostering a dynamic collaborative environment, MDEC is committed to propelling Malaysia towards a future characterized by cutting-edge advancements and sustainable digital development. I hope this collaboration will shape a limitless digital future, transcending technological boundaries.

Julian Gorman, Asia Pacific Director at GSMA, said: “Digital transformation in Asia Pacific is evolving rapidly and 5G technology is set to revolutionize industries, businesses, societies and nations at large. We are honored to host such a diverse gathering of industry leaders, experts and visionaries in Malaysia this week, who are driving the evolution of the digital ecosystem. We hope this event will serve as a catalyst for new partnerships, breakthrough innovations and a deeper understanding of the transformative power that 5G technology can bring when it comes to achieving a resilient and digitally connected future for Asia-Pacific.”

The summit will also focus on many of the topics covered in the GSMA's latest report, 'Digital Societies in Asia Pacific: Harnessing Emerging Technologies to Advance Digital Nations', and how these can be achieved. The report explores the concept of “digital nations” and the aspiration of Asia Pacific governments to integrate digital technologies and services into all sectors of the economy, to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth. There are five key components of a digital nation – infrastructure, innovation, data governance, security and people – and it maps the aspirations of governments in the region, including Malaysia, to these components.

About the GSMA
The GSMA is a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver critical innovation for positive business environments and social change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organizations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA offers its members three broad pillars: connectivity for good, industry services and solutions, and outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, addressing today's biggest societal challenges, supporting the technology and interoperability that make mobile devices work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.

We invite you to learn more at gsma.com

About Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)
The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), a government agency under the Ministry of Communications and Digital, was established in 1996 to lead Malaysia's digital economy. Starting with the implementation of the MSC Malaysia initiative, we have since catalyzed digital transformation and growth across the country. By providing greater incentives and governance for growth and reinvestment, we aim to reinforce Malaysia's status as an ASEAN digital hub, opening new doors and driving shared prosperity for all Malaysians.

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