KUALA LUMPUR: The participation of various brands and countries at the Smart Nation Expo 2024 reflects their confidence in Malaysia as a major digital investment centre, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. He noted that 21,000 participants engaged in the expo, now in its third edition, with over 600 exhibiting companies from 23 countries spread across seven pavilions. “This shows the confidence we see from regional countries and global players in Malaysia as a place where they can invest and work with local companies,” he told reporters after officiating the Smart Nation Expo 2024 here.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the theme of the expo – Smart Innovations for Digital Transformation – aligns with the government’s digital initiative, fostering an ecosystem that encourages innovation, investment, and collaboration among various stakeholders. Gobind welcomed collaboration and input from industry players to help shape the country’s digital industry, expressing hope for conversations and ideas that trans
late into beneficial cooperation.
“At the same time, we want to make sure that we can encourage more innovation as opposed to putting in place mechanisms that make things more difficult for the industry. This is why events like this are key. We are here today to speak to the industry and understand what its challenges are,” he added.
Gobind emphasized the government’s commitment to building an ecosystem benefiting all parties, including developing a digital policy for small and medium enterprises, expected to be finalised by the end of this year. Additionally, the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) in Kuala Lumpur on December 12 aims to formulate policy structures related to the sector in the country.
“The Ministry of Digital is looking towards enhancing this effort to build an ecosystem that provides Malaysia with a structure that enables us to all capitalise on technology as we move ahead,” he stated.
Smart Nation Expo 2024, held alongside EVM Asia 2024 and AgriX 2024, opens to
day and runs until November 21. EVM Asia 2024, the region’s premier electric vehicle and e-mobility event, gathers industry leaders to explore innovations in electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and battery technology, aligning with Malaysia’s sustainable transportation goals. Complementing this, AgriX 2024 showcases how digital solutions are revolutionizing agriculture, presenting advanced tools and technologies that enhance farming practices and bolster regional food security.
The expo’s chairman, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Nasir Mohd Ashraf, emphasized the event’s practical focus on delivering tangible business outcomes. “We have designed this space to facilitate not just conversations, but conversions – where handshakes turn into partnerships, and discussions transform into deals,” Mohd Nasir remarked in his speech.
This commitment to actionable outcomes is echoed throughout the expo, particularly in the nine international pavilions featuring technological powerhouses, including China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hu
ngary, Korea, and many more. These pavilions showcase cutting-edge advancements in 5G technology, smart cities, Industry 4.0, and emerging technologies.