Not just are we recognised as a nation capable of handling a world-class event, but countries and businesses around the world are starting to see Malaysia as a worthy destination for their money.

If measured from the number of attendees, exhibitors and satellite events, size of venue, and worth of business deals signed and sponsorships, WCIT 2008 has far surpassed the previous event in Austin, United States, two years ago by at least 20 to 30 per cent. This figure is important, but what’s more crucial is the value and experience that local businesses had derived from the event.

According to Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC)’s chief executive officer Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, local ICT companies have managed to clinch a total of RM1.24 billion worth of business dealings from the 800 structured business meetings held. On top of that, the country has managed to secure RM2 billion worth of business opportunities for the next 24 to 36 months, and with this comes 20,000 job opportunities for Malaysians.

WCIT 2008 also has managed to strip off the “timid” and “inferior” badges attached to local ICT players.

“Local players used to feel inferior about their solutions against foreign ones, but when they are able to compare their solutions on a world stage like (WCIT), they know that they can beat many of the foreign players, and that is a good development,” Badlisham said.

The country also has secured global recognition in the form of Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry Malaysia (Pikom)’s adviser, MDeC’s vice president and WCIT 2008’s chief executive officer Dan E. Khoo being appointed the new chairman of World Information Technology and Services Alliance, making him the first Asian to hold the title.

Indeed, for local ICT players, this is the time to move further into the global marketplace. What is needed is courage, good solutions and perhaps some help from organisations such as MDeC and Pikom.

Malaysia Boleh!