Middle East - key area for growth for Malaysian ICT companies

UAE is among top 10 countries exporting from Malaysia

RM5.5bn investments & 50,000 jobs by 2015

Malaysian IT spending expected to grow to U$5.2bn in 2011

Dubai, 29 March 2011: MSC Malaysia's presence within the GCC area is set to be further enhanced by its participation at the Malaysia Services Exhibition (MSE 2011), which will take place from January 17- 20 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The UAE is among the Top 10 countries of export for construction-related professional services firms. The ICT industry in Malaysia estimated to provide 50,000 total jobs and RM5.5bn investments by 2015

Twenty of the top MSC Malaysia-status ICT Services companies ranging from those involved in Software Applications and Services to Outsourcing Solutions and Services, will represent the ICT sector at MSE 2011. The companies are Lead Agency: Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), Collaborators: The National ICT Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) and New Entrepreneur Forum (NEF).

MSE 2011 follows the success of the previous such exhibitions held in Sharjah 2008, Dubai, 2009 and 2010. The exhibition, organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), will bring a range of services from 6 industry clusters, bearing the Malaysian hallmark of excellence, under a single roof. 

Market Overview Malaysian IT spending is expected to grow to U$5.2bn in 2011, from US$4.8bn in 2010, when the market stablised following the impact of a difficult economic and political situation. The market should be boosted by ICT-friendly 2011 budget measures and growing interest in cloud computing, but much will depend on confidence in a sustainable economic recovery.

Software Malaysia's addressable software market is expected to growth to US$857mn in 2011, consolidating a recovery in 2010 but businesses remain cautious and focused on ROI. By 2015, we forecast software spending rising healthily to US$1.3bn, with software CAGR for 2011-2015

According to H.E. Dato' Yahaya Abdul Jabar, the Malaysian Ambassador to the UAE, ICT companies participation in MSE 2011 are examples of the comprehensive, credible and cutting edge ICT services we offer to world at competitive costs. MDeC is the lead agency spearheading the MSC Malaysia project. MSC Malaysia is a national initiative spearheaded by the Malaysian Government to promote both the national ICT industry and provide a test-bed for the global ICT industry.

Currently, there are more than 1,900 ICT companies operating within the MSC Malaysia area, ranging from Internet-based business solutions and services providers to software application and services providers. Some of the sectors where Malaysian ICT companies can provide world-class applications include Financial Services Industry (FSI), Telecommunications (Telco) and e-Government services.

He added that MSC Malaysia industry development programs have produced globally competitive ICT companies delivering award winning solutions and world class service. These leading companies have successes in their delivery across continents covering Asia, Europe, US, Africa and the Middle East.

They include N2N Connect, which provides mobile trading technology for the Financial Services Industry in over five continents; Custommedia with their world class software testing solutions and services; Britesoft - providers of most advanced non-coding software development tools and services; Xybase is today's leading Total Airport Management System and services with more than 20 international airport implementations globally, just to name a few.

Business owners and multinational corporations in the region should not miss the opportunity to experience how MSC Malaysia empowers Governments and businesses through one-to-one business meetings and round-table discussions, Dato adedd

Mr. Saifol Bahri Shamlan, Vice President Industry Development, Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), said, "The facility was estimated to provide 50,000 total jobs and RM 5.5bn investments by 2015. He said cloud-based computing services are set to become the next engine of growth and that Malaysia was well placed to be a reference model for solutions engineered for the world. MDeC has taken on the challenge to develop an entire IT industry for Malaysia by re-shaping the corporation's industry development functions into an organisation that performs end-to-end aid in development, growth and commercialisation of numerous players in Malaysia's IT industry."

Ahmad Asri Abdul Hamid, President of Professional Services Development Corporation (PSDC), said: "114 construction related professional services firms from Malaysia export to 63 countries and were involved in 517 completed and ongoing projects. Construction-related firms have the most presence in ASEAN, closely followed by the Middle East and South Asia. The UAE is among the Top 10 countries of export for construction-related professional services firms.

He addes: "Malaysia has placed great emphasis on development of Green Technology services. Malaysian consultancy firms have the experience and expertise in developing green projects, both locally and internationally. They are able to offer their services at competitive cost. He said PSDC was positioned to identify and facilitate involvement of Malaysian consultancy firms in the global market."

Other industry clusters represented at MSE 2011 are: Professional Services, Energy and Power Generation (Engineering, Architect, Interior Design, Urban Planner, Landscaper, Energy and Power Generation), Construction and Related Services, Oil and Gas, Specialised Training & Business Services and Environment Management Services.

MSE Objectives

  • Promote services from Malaysia to West Asia and surrounding regions (MENA) - Gain and further enhance the visibility of Malaysian services capabilities and expertise;

  • Brand Malaysian services by showcasing Malaysian companies' achievements in the international arena;

  • Provide an avenue for Malaysian services providers to network and forge strategic alliances with their potential clients or partners overseas; and

  • Provide a platform for international businesses to source the best of Malaysian services for their needs

-Ends-

About MATRADE
The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) was established on March 1, 1993 as the external trade promotion arm of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). Its functions are: 

To promote, assist and develop Malaysia's external trade with particular emphasis on the export of manufactured and semi-manufactured products and services;

To formulate and implement export marketing strategies and trade promotion activities to promote Malaysia's export;

To undertake commercial intelligence and market research and create a comprehensive database of information for the improvement and development of Malaysia's trade;

To organise training programmes to improve the international marketing skills of Malaysian exporters;

To enhance and protect Malaysia's international trade investment abroad; and

To promote, facilitate and assist in the services areas related to trade.

About MDeC
Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) is a unique high powered government-owned corporation, established to facilitate the development and promotion of MSC Malaysia, the premier Malaysian ICT initiative. MDeC is tasked to advise the Malaysian Government on ICT legislation and policies, develop MSC Malaysia as a key growth driver of the economy and set breakthrough standards for ICT and multimedia operations. MDeC also promotes MSC Malaysia locally and globally, as well as supports companies which are located within the MSC Malaysia designated areas.

MDeC works closely with various parties and government agencies to ensure that MSC Malaysia offers a condusive enabling environment for companies to harness the full potential of ICT and multimedia technologies.

About MSC Malaysia
MSC Malaysia is a national initiative spearheaded by the Malaysian Government to promote both the national ICT industry and provide a test-bed for the global ICT industry.  MSC Malaysia provides a condusive enabling environment designed to facilitate companies to harness the full potential of ICT and multimedia technologies.

With its ideal business environment coupled with the availability of talent resources, the MSC Malaysia has attracted participation from major global ICT companies to develop and host their leading-edge technologies in the designated MSC Malaysia Cybercities. MSC Malaysia also provides the ideal growth environment for Malaysian ICT SMEs to transform themselves into world-class companies.

For further information on MSE 2011, please go to www.malaysianservices.com or contact:
In GCC and surrounding countries
Mr. Ahmadur Rahman
Marketing Officer
MATRADE Dubai
GL: +971-4-335 5528
DL: +971-4-335 5538
Fax : +971-4-335-2220

Mr. Giath Fawze
PR Exective
Media Hub International
Mob.: +971 50 5030900
Tel: +971 4 2972740
Fax: +971 4 2972741 

In Malaysia
Mr. Jonathan Rao
Head of Corporate Communications
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation
GL: 603- 6207-7077
DL: 603-6207 7402
Fax: 603-6203 7194  

© Press Release 2011