Category: News

WITSA Members Get Special Offer of USD199 All Access Tickets to WCIT 2023 till March 31st 2023

March 11, 2023

 

WITSA Members Get Special Offer of USD199 All Access Tickets to WCIT 2023 till March 31st 2023

 

  •       WCIT 2023 Organizer Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) Offers Special Ticket Price of USD199 for WITSA Members (and Members’ Members) till March 31, 2023

Manama, Bahrain: The World Innovation, Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) concluded its Spring Board of Directors’ Meeting in Bahrain recently with the following key announcements:

  • WCIT 2023 Special Offer of USD199 all-access tickets for WITSA Members
  • Meeting with Bahrain’s Minister of Industry and Commerce H.E. Abdulla Adel Fakhro with a Special Invitation to speak at WCIT 2023

Senior representative from the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), organiser of WCIT 2023, Madam Malseni Jamal presented updates on the global congress and announced a special deal of USD199 per all-access ticket offered to WITSA Members from now till March 31st, 2023.

Dr Sean Seah, Chairman of WITSA said, “We take this opportunity to thank SDEC for the irresistible offer of USD199 all-access tickets for WITSA members. I strongly suggest all WITSA members take up this offer before the closing date. Having delegates from our member countries at WCIT 2023 will contribute to its success as well as show strong camaraderie of WITSA for our signature event.”

WITSA also had an audience with the Bahrain Minister of Industry and Commerce, H.E. Abdulla Adel Fakhro to further discuss Bahrain’s interest in hosting WCIT 2024 as well as inviting the Minister to speak at WCIT 2023. 

WITSA CEO Dato’ Dan E Khoo said, “We had a very fruitful meeting with the Minister as Bahrain has expressed strong interest to host WCIT 2024. We have also invited the Minister to be part of the Global Leaders Dialogue and to speak at the congress. WCIT has gained an endearing reputation as the Olympics of the World’s Information Technology Industry.  For decades, WCIT has been a consequential and influential platform that provides an opportunity to find means and avenues to connect for global trade opportunities.”

WCIT 2023 is happening on October 4th to 6th, 2023 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, which focuses on 3 days of impactful discussions, investment opportunities, policy action recommendations, business insights, innovative exhibits, talent recruitment possibilities and networking sessions. In addition to the congress sessions, there will be a Global Leaders’ Roundtable session, the WITSA Global Innovation and Tech Excellence Awards & Gala-Dinner, a global tech exhibition, and global B2B business networking.

To participate as sponsors, exhibitors and delegates, kindly go to www.wcit2023.com for more information or register your interest. 

To get hold of the special ticket price of USD199 for WITSA members and members’ members, kindly connect with Ms Jeralyn Quinsayas at jeralyn@witsa.org. The USD199 per ticket is available now till March 31st, 2023.    

WITSA Elects New Leadership for the 2022-24 Term: Selects Dr. Sean Seah as its Chairman

 

September 15, 2022

 

Contact:                 Anders Halvorsen        ahalvorsen@witsa.org
                                                                        +1 571 265-5964

 

WITSA Elects New Leadership for the 2022-24 Term
Selects Dr. Sean Seah as its Chairman

Penang, Malaysia: At its September 12, 2022 General Assembly meeting, the World Innovation, Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) elected a diverse slate of leaders for the 2022-24 term, including 20 Directors from five continents.

WITSA elected The National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) Chairman Dr. Sean Seah as Chairman for the 2022-2024 term. Dr. Seah is well-known throughout the WITSA community, having served in various capacities in support of WITSA, including most recently as WITSA’s Deputy Chairman and the Chairman of the WITSA Finance Committee. As the Chairman of the National Tech Association of Malaysia, Dr Sean is also the Organizing Committee Chairman of the World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WCIT) 2022, which was held at in Penang, Malaysia on September 13-15.

Dr. Seah has an extensive and esteemed experience in the digital tech industry, having started his career in Silicon Valley in 1993 worked for Software Publishing Corp and Netscape Communications Inc. He subsequent worked for Sun Microsystems in Malaysia. Dr. Seah has founded and co-founded many innovative tech businesses, including Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX:5MQ) based Afor Pte Ltd.; London Stock Exchange (LSE:GLS) based Galasys PLC; US OTC Market based SEATech Ventures Corporation (OTC PINK: SEAV) and AsiaFIN Holdings Corp (OTC PINK: ASFH). Dr. Seah is currently the Executive Chairman of Angkasa-X Group.

During the General Assembly meeting, Dr. Seah presented his vision for the global industry alliance to grow as the leading innovation and tech industry voice and a global digital ambassador for a new digital future. “I am honored and humbled to be entrusted with this important undertaking”, stated Dr. Seah. “I will continue in the footsteps of Chairman Emeritus Yannis Sirros and strive to position digital technology and the digital economy as the new strategic pillar for our global community, to become a global digital ambassador and accelerator in order to promote the value of digital transformation as the key catalyst for economic growth and social prosperity, to promote greater international cooperation by supporting multilateral win-win trade agreements, to drive awareness of the competitive advantage of the digital technology industry, and to strengthen WITSA’s role in the development of technology-related international public policy”, continued Dr. Seah.

As WITSA Chairman, Dr. Seah also vowed to increase WITSA’s relevance and value across the organizations vast network of industry associations, spanning 80 countries and representing more than 90 percent of the global tech market. As part of this effort, Dr. Seah plans on working actively with WITSA’s Board of Directors to also recruit more active members in countries not yet covered by the Alliance, and to enhance cooperation with regional industry organizations such as ASOCIO, AfICTA, DIGITALEUROPE, and ALETI. Dr. Seah will also seek to grow WITSA’s Global Business Exchange program (GBX) through B2B business matching, online exhibitions, online WCIT registrations, speaker recruitment, and livestreaming of WITSA events. In order to provide more value and business opportunities for members, Dr. Seah also intends to create a WITSA Business Intelligence (BI) platform.

“I know I am leaving WITSA in good hands”, stated WITSA Chairman Emeritus Yannis Sirros. “Having known Sean for many years, I know he will bring to our organization the same business-oriented mentality and dedication that has made him so successful in the digital tech industry, and which will be critical to WITSA’s success as it establishes its new path in the post-COVID economy”.

“We all must work closely together to increase WITSA’s reach and capabilities”, stated Dr. Sean Seah. “Everyone’s ideas and proposals are crucial and vital if we are to succeed and strengthen our role. I am committed to dedicating my time, experience, efforts, business and personal relations to realize WITSA’s true potential, bringing added value to each and everyone’s local organization and market”. “Let us build a new digital world together.”

“On behalf of the entire global WITSA community, I am delighted to welcome Dr. Sean Seah as our new Chairman”, expressed WITSA’s Secretary General Dr. Jim Poisant. “With so many challenges facing our industry in these troubled times, I am confident that with Dr. Seah’s trusted leadership and support, as well as friendship, we will continue to build on WITSA’s many accomplishments to ensure that WITSA will continue to grow and reach new levels of success”, said WITSA CEO Dato’ Dan E. Khoo.

Additionally, the new WITSA Board of Directors on September 12, 2022, selected a number of officers for the 2022-2024 term. Mr. Robert Janssen of ASSESPRO, Brazil was selected as WITSA’s Deputy Chairman. Mr. Roger Latchman of the Information Technology Association of South Africa was appointed Vice Chairman for Africa; Mr. Antonio Cimorra of the Spanish Trade Association for Electronics, Information Technologies, Telecommunications and Digital Content Industries (AMETIC) was selected as Vice Chairman for Europe (EU/EEA); Mr. Alexander Mora of the Costa Rican Chamber of Information and Communication Technologies (CAMTIC) was voted Vice Chairman for Latin America; and John Kyle of the Business Technology Division of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce was selected as Vice Chairman for the Caribbean.

Mr. Doug Johnson, Vice President of Technology Policy at the U.S. based Consumer Technology Association (CTA) was selected as Chairman of WITSA’s Global Policy Action Committee; Mr. Brian Shen, Information Service Industry Association of Taiwan (CISA) was re-appointed Chairman of WITSA’s Business Development Committee; Mr. Tarek M. Abdel Monem Taha of the Egyptian Association for Information & Communication Technology (EITESAL was re-appointed to Chair WITSA’s Nominating Committee; and Dr. Boris Komrakov was re-appointed to Chair WITSA’s Committee on Education, Training and Human Resources.

A complete list of the newly elected WITSA leadership is provided below:

 

WITSA Board of Directors (2022-2024)

# Name & Title Position Association & Country
1 Dr.  Sean Seah Chairman The National ICT Association of Malaysia (PIKOM)
2 Mr. Robert Franz Janssen Deputy Chairman Association of ICT Companies in Brazil (ASSESPRO)
3 Mr. Antonio Cimorra Vice Chairman The Association of Electronics, IT, Communications and Digital Contents (AMETIC) Spain
4 Mr. John Kyle Vice Chairman Business Technology Division of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce
5 Mr. Roger Latchman Vice Chairman Information Technology Association of South Africa (ITA)
6 Mr. Alexander Mora Vice Chairman Costa Rican Chamber of Information and Communication Technologies (CAMTIC)
7 Mr. Nidal Bitar Director The Information & Communications Technology Association (Jordan)
8 Mr. Francis Fong Director Hong Kong Information Technology Federation (HKITF)
9 Mr. Ahmed Al Hujairy Director Bahrain Technology Companies Society (BTECH)
10 Mr. Matthias Ifesieh Director Information Technology Industry Association of Nigeria (ITAN)
11 Mr. Hemant Kumar Chaursaia Director CAN Federation (Nepal)
12 Mr. Zoran Lazarevski Director ICT Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of North Macedonia(MASIT)
13 Ms. Angela Mondou Director TECHNATION Canada
14 Mr. Alberto Patron Director Cámara de Empresas de Software y Servicios Informáticos de la República Argentina (CESSI) Argentina
15 Engr. Subrata Sarkar Director Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS)
16 Mr. Yutaka Sasaki Director Japan Information Technology Services Industry Association (JISA)
17 Mr. Brian Shen Director Information Service Industry Association of Taiwan (CISA)
18 Eng. Tarek Abd-elmonem Taha Director EiTESAL Association for Information & Communication Technology Egypt
19 Mr. Florin Vrejoiu Director Association for Information Technology and Communications of Romania (ATIC)
20 Mr. Alexandr Yesayan Director Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises of Armenia (UATE)

 

About WITSA

The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) is the leading recognized international voice of the global ICT industry, whose members from over 80 countries and economies represent more than 90 percent of the world ICT market.  WITSA is dedicated to advocating policies that advance industry growth and development; facilitating international trade and investment in ICT products and services; strengthening WITSA’s national industry associations; and providing members with a broad network of professional contacts.

WITSA hosts the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT), the premier global industry sponsored ICT conference.

WITSA members are leaders in a globally interconnected marketplace. Because the challenges facing the ICT industry are undisputedly global in nature, WITSA members work together to achieve a shared vision on important issues of common interest. WITSA makes it possible for its members — ranging from Mongolia and Argentina to Kenya and the United States — to identify common issues and priorities, exchange valuable information, and present a united position on industry issues.

For more information on WITSA, please visit www.witsa.org

What Taiwan can teach the world on fighting the coronavirus

Coronavirus seriously affects the world industry. But Taiwan’s control of the epidemic is impressive. According to NBC NEWS report on March 10, it listed eight principal points of view. 

“What Taiwan can teach the world on fighting the coronavirus.”

In this report, Taiwan uses many technology products to prevent epidemics, such as temperature monitors to detect body temperature, location sharing on mobile phone to control home quarantine, and QR code to track travel information.

“Taiwan’s healthcare ranked No. 1.”  Ms. Chiu, the Chairman of WITSA, said. Taiwan’s successful experience in using technology can be shared with all countries around the world. It coincides with the purpose of WITSA to promote the application and development of the ICT industry.

Bangladesh is moving forward in information technology

Bangladesh is fast advancing in the IT sector. This change is coming with various government initiatives as well as various initiatives and efforts of the youth.

With their hands, the use of smartphones and Internet in the country is increasing. This is changing rapidly in different sectors of the country.

Recently, BCG Senior Partner and Global Leader for Digital Government of Armenia, Miguel Carrasco said technology creates jobs. In the next day, 10 percent of the work done will be computer programming, 20 percent will be technology. People need only 70 percent for the rest.

Bangladesh’s improvement in information technology has already come from all over the world.

James Pozants, Secretary General of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), said that Bangladesh is doing well in information technology and is giving enough importance to WITSA to Dhaka for the World Conference.

There are Bangladesh Vision 2021, through which ICT is moving forward. Leadership is the key to success in any country. Bangladesh has it.

Read the full article here. 

 

AIIA: NAVIGATING TECHNOLOGY AND THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE SUMMIT

Whether you are the optimist that looks to the future of work augmented by automation, robots and Artificial Intelligence as the panacea for opportunity, or subscribe to the more pessimistic view that automation will disrupt and displace jobs and the people in them, both require essentially the same response: the need to build the human and workforce capabilities and skills required to exist in our modern digital age.

Unlike previous industrial revolutions in which education, training and labour market systems adapted over time to advances in technology, this current ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ commands a more urgent response.

While some jobs and people will be impacted more than others, new opportunities and new jobs will emerge.

As a result, a clear strategy is needed for preparing for this future as well as specific policy responses to issues such as the adjustment and re-employment of workers who are displaced; concerns about digital exclusion; and more broadly an understanding of what skills will be required and how they will be developed.

The AIIA Navigating Jobs of the Future Summit is designed to initiate the conversations that technology and digital leaders are driving.

As such, the AIIA Navigating Jobs of the Future Summit will focus on working with government, industry peers and educators to understand how best to prepare for a future workforce in which technology is an inevitable and integral part of how most work is done today.

Preparing for the jobs of tomorrow means that we need to start building the skills we will need today.

Be part of the conversation at the AIIA Navigating Jobs of the Future Summit and help drive this important agenda.

For more information, or to register, click here.