ICT key to AEC's success, Anudith
Information and communications technology is a key to successful social and economic integration under the coming Asean Economic Community (AEC), said ICT Minister Anudith Nakornthap.
He made the remark at the first Asean Chief Information Officers (CIO) Forum, a two-day event hosted by Thailand that ends today.
Anudith, who presided over the opening ceremony yesterday, added that by developing advanced ICT infrastructure and skilled human capital, and by establishing a good policy and regulatory environment, ICT would help Asean transform into a single market.
The Asean CIO Forum was jointly organised by Thailand’s ICT Ministry, Brunei’s Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (AITI), and the CIO16 Association of Thailand, which comprises chief information officers from both the public and private sectors, to embrace a concept of how to emphasise further ICT development.
The forum was also an initiative of the Asean ICT Master Plan 2015, which was developed for the 10 member states to provide a strategic direction to harness the potential of ICT in creating the AEC.
Abdul Mutalib Yusof, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Communications of Brunei, said the forum aimed to establish an Asean CIO network. It is intended as the platform to promote sharing of best practices and collaboration among CIOs.
Topics to be discussed at the forum ranged from cloud computing, green ICT and cyber-security to citizen engagement.
In this country, the Smart Thailand Policy focuses on increasing broadband network coverage and improving government efficiency in providing services to people.
Thailand is also responsible for determining definitions and certifications for Asean ICT skill standards.
