The event will leverage on Smart cities vision as outlined in 11MP

By NUR HAZIQAH A MALEK / Pic By ISMAIL CHE RUS

THE inaugural Smart Nation 2020 Exhibition and Forum to be held between March 24 and March next year is expected to spur economic activities that could be worth some RM34 billion in the near future.

Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau CEO Datuk Zulkefli Sharif said the event, the first of its kind, will be the biggest in the region. “I was told this will position Malaysia as the centre of new technology and innovation.

“Approximately, 10,000 visitors are expected to attend this event, of which 20% are international attendees, delivering an estimated economic impact of RM34 billion,” he said at the Smart Nation 2020 Expo soft launch in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He added that business events have grown competitively over the past few years.

“Advanced technologies such as webcasting, live streaming and video conferences have now become the preferred options for event organisers in creating borderless interactions with the audience,” he said.

Zulkefli also said social media will play a large role in building communication between all parties.

“The shift from traditional speakers and delegates visiting to more interaction and involvement from the audience has become an essential requirement, so Malaysia is now working towards enhancing its global appeal,” he added.

The Smart Nation 2020 steering committee co-chairman and AMB Tarsus Events Group Sdn Bhd chair Tan Sri Nuraizah Abdul Hamid said the event will leverage on the Smart cities vision as outlined in the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).

“It will also leverage on emerging technologies, including 5G, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality among others, in creating a catalyst to accelerate Malaysia’s economic growth in the digital age,” she said.

She added that the event will be an effective platform to enable companies and brands to share their technology and expertise to support the transformation of the country into a smart nation.

“Exhibiting companies will be able to build a strategic and strong partnerships that will bring about better operational capabilities,” she said.

The event will cover six exhibition halls with over 1,200 booths, comprising 10 featured zones including government’s initiatives in smart services, Industry 4.0 (IR4.0), building management and systems, transportation and traffic system, security, education, healthcare, properties and developments, infrastructure, and banking and finance.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Industry- Government Group for High Technology president and CEO Datuk Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman said currently, industry sectors are not on equal terms in the readiness for IR4.0.

“While some are ready, the ones that aren’t will require programmes to build and nurture them, so that they can reach the level of readiness required for the revolution,” he said.

He also added that in education, an industry-academia collaboration will be required to match expectations on both sides to tackle the revolution’s challenges.

“The industries will need to work with colleges and universities in order to develop programmes to match in terms of technology developments, skills, and managing new technological tools,” he said.

Nuraizah said the nation has arrived to a phase where an assessment and to figure out where to go next is vital to its growth, which is why a forum will be held during the event.

“I think this is the issue that we have now, because we have come to a certain phase in our development where we need to assess what we have already done, what do we have in place and where do we go next.

“I think that plays a significant part in our nation’s way forward,” she said.