SEOUL: Malaysia wants to have more cooperation in information communication technology (ICT) with South Korea, which is well ahead in ICT, to enhance their bilateral relations in the field which is currently still at a moderate level.
Information Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Malaysia hoped the cooperation could be translated into ICT-related projects to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries, which are celebrating 50 years of that relations this year.
He said Malaysia would try to venture into various areas of ICT where Korea had the strengths in implementing the projects.
“We will see how Korea could advance and be the number one country in the ICT field and how it has incorporated ICT use in villages throughout the country, besides educating Korean youths on how to use ICT to generate income, especially in the content industry.
“These are interesting areas and we will try to venture into some,” he told Malaysian journalists covering his attendance at the World Information and Communications Summit: WICS 2010, held in the South Korean capital.
Rais said Korea also had an interesting programme in developing animation and research in three-dimensinal computer graphics, which were used in science fiction films such as the epic movie, Avatar.
“These fields are very interesting and will give huge returns to both countries. We are actually looking at the Korean ICT as the champion in the industry as it has pioneered various advanced areas at the international level.
“So, we need to learn how Korea managed to sell its animation, movie and cinematography culture and expertise outside the country,” he said. Rais said agencies involved in ICT in Malaysia should study the ICT developments in Korea and make proposals to the government on the approaches that could be taken to emulate Korea’s success. He said Malaysia-Korea cooperation in ICT could also be forged through ICT training programmes involving the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Korean Communications Commission, and between the ICT practitioners of both countries.
“Perhaps there will be some of our ICT practitioners coming here and some from Korea going to Kuala Lumpur to see how the Malaysian ICT industry can develop in the best possible way.”
Rais regarded the organising of the WISC, where the leaders, ministers and deputy ministers from nine countries including from Asia discussed and exchanged ideas in ICT, as a noble effort by Korea.
“As an experienced country, Korea has further strengthened friendship with the developing countries, so that Asia as a whole will not lag behind in the field.“We (Malaysia) shall take this as a new beginning for us, in a new era where ICT is part of our lifestyle that bring us economic, cultural and industrial benefits,” he said.
The two-day WICS 2010 organised by the Korean Multimedia Communications beginning Tuesday, was aimed at strengthening cooperation and building a sustainable future for the participating countries by sharing experiences and vision in ICT.
Rais also said that Malaysia and Korea would discuss the possibility of coming up with a book on 50 years of Malaysia-Korea relations. -- Bernama The Star Online
