KUALA LUMPUR: HeiTech Padu Bhd, an information technology systems and technology services provider, has set a target of clocking a 20 per cent increase in revenue to RM200 million from its public sector segment for the financial year ending December 31.
Its executive vice-president/ group chief executive officer of Public Sector Ariff Mokhtar said the group’s public sector segment contributed about 60 per cent to the group’s revenue last year, while this year’s contribution was expected to remain at about the same level.
He said HeiTech Padu was expected to sign contracts worth RM350 million this year, while its order book as at the first quarter stood at RM180 million and its tender book totalled RM400 million so far.
“The target is achievable as a number of projects are already at the final stage (of completion) this year and could be billed and translated into revenue. On the whole, we also expect this year to be a better year for our public sector segment, as well as for the whole group,” he said.
Ariff said the group faced a lot of challenges over the past several years, but managed to make a turnaround and return to the black in the last financial year.
In the first quarter of this year, the group saw some positive signs with new contracts signed and a few more in the pipeline and ready to be announced in due course, he said, adding that this would help increase its revenue for the second and third quarter.
Ariff said the public sector segment in HeiTech Padu was a bit unique as its scope covers not only the country’s public sector, but also that of foreign governments.
He said the group started looking for overseas markets for growth and expansion as information and communications technology growth in Malaysia was a bit flat recently.
The software programme developed by the group like e-government, defence systems and health systems, which were implemented successfully in Malaysia, could be packaged and replicated in other countries as well, he added.
He said HeiTech Padu was encouraged by the interests shown by several governments, especially the developing nations in acquiring and implementing the systems.
They are, among others, Indonesia, Myanmar, Balkan states, including Kazakhtan, and Tunisia.
Ariff said HeiTech was almost certain to close deals soon with Indonesia and Myanmar with the contracts valued more than RM150 million.
HeiTech realises that its future lies in its ability to keep abreast with the latest technology and to provide innovative offerings to customers. Bernama