Sustainable digital industry critical for high-income economic growth - Gobind Singh

LANGKAWI, Jan 20 -- The development of a vibrant and sustainable digital industry is critical for the growth of a high-income national economy and for boosting the people’s purchasing power to ensure a brighter future for all, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

He said this would ensure that the country’s wealth is enjoyed by all strata of society in line with the government’s Shared Prosperity Vision.

The rollout of infrastructure and services is not an end in itself but rather is part of the Shared Prosperity Vision of Malaysia, he said when opening the 5G Malaysia International Conference here today.

He said the Shared Prosperity Vision will see a recalibration and restructuring of the Malaysian economy on a more progressive trajectory and centred on development for all.

“All this would not be possible without the availability of digital platforms on which services can be provided to all corners of society,” he said.

Gobind said Malaysia understands the importance of 5G technology and the potential it has to uplift the economic prospects of the country while providing new and innovative jobs to its people.

“As various industries adopt 5G, I am confident that it would positively influence other industries’ contribution rate to the GDP -- effectively allowing the country to produce and manufacture more high-quality goods and services while further benefiting the people with better products and services,” he said.

He said 5G demonstration projects cover various industry verticals such as agriculture, digital healthcare, education, entertainment/media, manufacturing and processing, oil and gas, smart city and smart transportation.

To date, the government has identified 100 use cases in which 72 use cases are being demonstrated across 56 5G live sites and six states in Malaysia.

“It is our collective responsibility to give Malaysians from every corner of the country an opportunity to reap the benefits of connectivity and the many digital technologies available,” the minister said.

-- BERNAMA