Organization: Industrial Development Bureau, MOEA Publish Date: 2017-08-01 09:41
In pursuance of demonstrating Taiwan’s determination to transform itself into the world’s “Digital Nation, Innovative Economy (DIGI )”, Minister without Portfolio Wu Tsung-tsong, Economic Affairs Minister Lee Chih-kung, and World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) Chairperson Chiu Yueh-hsiang jointly held the WCIT 2017 International Press Conference on July 25. The theme for this year is “Living the Digital Dream”, aiming to show the world that “Taiwan is greater than you think!”
Minister Wu said in his remarks that the digital economy serves as the drive for cross-generation, cross-border, interdisciplinary, and cyber-physical development trends, and it is gradually turning the global industry around. Furthermore, WCIT 2017 is the engine that keeps the DIGI innovative economy running. Minister Wu called for joint efforts from all sectors, including the industry, academia, research institutes, and government agencies. Taiwan should seize the opportunity of hosting WCIT 2017 and expand its digital industry. Wu concluded by saying that the WCIT is a great start to transform Taiwan into the new hub of Asia’s digital development.
Minister Lee stated that, in contrast to the first WCIT Taiwan hosted in 2000, WCIT 2017 is not only a three-day international conference, but also a great opportunity for over 2,000 global business leaders, tech elites, and foreign delegates to gain first-hand experience on Taiwan’s smart-city achievements. Lee continued by saying that, to echo the country’s New Southbound Policy, WCIT 2017 is determined to connect Taiwan with the emerging markets of ASEAN states in new digital infrastructure demands, broadband connections, internet infrastructure, IoT applications, cyber security management, and FinTech. WCIT 2017 has invited the 18 New Southbound countries to participate in the event.
The newly elected WITSA chairperson, Chiu Yueh-Hsiang, who is also the Director General of the Information Service Industry Association, said that globalization and digitalization are the two major trends of the future economy. WITSA has seen the potential of the rise of digital economies in Asia. The WCIT will be held in the Asia Pacific Region for the next five years, and Taiwan will therefore, be the flagship of Asia’s digital development in the next decade.
