GENEVA: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has praised Malaysia for its achievement in the area of information communication and technology (ICT).
Its secretary-general Dr Hamadoun Toure said Malaysia has shown tremendous growth in all sectors, with the ICT being the fastest growing sector for the last 10 years.
“We are very proud of what Malaysia has achieved,” he said in his speech at the launch of Malaysia Pavilion at ITU Telecom World 2011 conference, here Tuesday.
Present were Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and wife Tun Jeanne Abdullah.
Toure, Rais and Abdullah later launched the pavilion, which showcases Malaysia’s broadband achievement.
Toure also expressed his appreciation to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for sending participants to the conference and paid tribute to the prime minister, describing him as a leader who has the courage to dream for his people.
He said a country could not develop without a dream shared by its people, who believe in it and who work to make it a reality.
Rais in his speech expressed appreciation to Toure for his commitment in pushing and promoting the ITU’s agenda.
“We from the Asean region in particular, and the Asian block in general, would like to reaffirm our commitment and support for the ITU,” he said.
Rais said Malaysia was also committed to creating a fair and just ICT policy and closing the rural-urban digital divide.
“Yesterday, we have enlisted no less than 9,400 villagers throughout the country in the programme called Kampung WiFi.
“Beyond that, we have provided no less than 700,000 units of netbook to be distributed, and in fact already distributed, to people in rural villages,” he said, adding that by the end of the year, the number would reach a million units.
Speaking to reporters later, Rais said the pavilion showcases Malaysia’s ICT capabilities to the international community. — Bernama