GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow will be leading a state delegation to the 23rd World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) 2019 at Yerevan, Armenia, from Oct 6 – 9.

According to a statement by the Penang2030 unit, the highlight of the working trip will be the passing of the WCIT torch by WCIT2019 host country to Penang for WCIT2020 — dubbed the Olympic-level conference for IT.

The state delegation comprises State Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, and InvestPenang director Datuk Seri Lee Kah Choon and chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian.

“During the congress, attention would be focused on the promotion of Malaysia, particularly Penang, as the host of WCIT in 2020 and to start recruiting delegates, database building and creating awareness.

“WCIT2019 Armenia will also be a great platform for the state government to educate delegates about Penang and Malaysia, and to offer insights of investing or exploring opportunities for market expansion here, as well as to engage with other countries to participate in WCIT2020,” the unit said.

It added that an exhibition booth would be set up to promote Experience Penang Year 2020, Visit Malaysia Year 2020 and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

Penang will host WCIT2020 from Sept 13-16, 2020, alongside the inaugural TechFest2020 Penang, to be held both on the island and Seberang Perai from Sept 11-20, 2020.

The unit also revealed that WCIT2019 – themed “The Power of Decentralisation: Promise and Peril” – would cover key such as Internet of Things (IoT), Smart Cities, FinTech, E-Commerce and Climate Change, with the participation of over 2,000 delegates from more than 70 countries.

“The Chief Minister will also be engaging in several ministerial sessions with leaders from various countries during the conference.

“His presence there serves to represent Malaysia on the world stage and to highlight the Penang2030 Vision which carries the theme, “A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation,” it noted.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/10/527218/chow-leads-penang-delegation-armenia-wcit-2019

New Straits Times

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