WCIT 2017 to be hosted by Taiwan

Source: PRNewsfoto/Information Industry Service Association (CISA).The WCIT 2017 launching ceremony at Taipei International Convention Center. Minister without Portfolio Wu Tsung-Tsong, Economic Minister Lee Chih-Kung, World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) Chairperson Chiu Yueh-Hsiang, Taipei Deputy Mayor Lin Chin-Rong, Industrial Development Bureau Secretary General Yang Chih-Ching, WCIT Executive Committee Executive Director, Kung Jen-Wen, and 77 representatives from the industry, government agencies, research institutes, think tanks, and event sponsors attended the launch. Supporting entities included the host city, Taipei City Government, and iconic local IT companies such as Chunghwa Telecom, Foxconn, TSMC, Acer, CTBT, CyberLink, E.Sun Bank, Mediatek, Perfect, the Syscom Group, ASE Group, EasyCard Corporation, FarEasTONE, GJung&LiveABC, Google, LITEON, Misubishi Electric, PLANET, Quanta Computer, Taiwan Mobile, TDK, TECO, Trend Micro, iEi. Integration Corp, QNAP, COMPUTEX, Delta, GIOT Gemtek, TAITRA, Metro Taoyuan, LoreMaster Tech, CHIEF, CISCO, iPASS Corporation, NEC, PUHU, and HTC.

The World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2017) is to be held September 10-13 at the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC). The theme for this year is Living the Digi+tal Dream, aiming to showcase to the world that "Taiwan is greater than you think!"
This is Taiwan's second term hosting the WCIT after previously hosting it 17 years ago. The 2017 event has gathered over 90 business leaders from around the world to share their ideas about some of the latest trends of information technology including: digital economy, the Internet of Things (IoT), fintech, big data, virtual reality/augmented reality/mixed reality (VR/AR/MR), artificial intelligence (AI), and open data. Discussions will focus on how these digital technologies can be applied as potential solutions to problems such as energy shortage, pollution, managing society and healthcare. The goal of this is to make a more efficient economy by using the newest techniques in information technology.

The event that aims to attract 2,500 global business leaders from more than 80 countries to participate in discussions. Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to participate in the colocated exhibition on future technology which will take place in Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC), Exhibition Hall 1.

The speaker list includes:

- Bertrand Piccard, the initiator and copilot of Solar Impulse, the first successful around-the-world solar powered flight.

- Jason Zander, Corporate VP, Azure, the Cloud Chief at Microsoft.

- Alex "Sandy" Pentland, Director, Connection Science and Human Dynamics Labs, MIT - a pioneer of wearable computing

- Bill Bien, Global Head of Strategy and Marketing of Philips Lighting, known for smart lighting

- Toshio Iwamoto, President and CEO of NTT DATA, one of the three major telecom groups in Japan

- Setsuhiro Shimomura, Executive Corporate Adviser and former President, Mitsubishi Electric, which is focused on practical industry 4.0 solutions

- Alan Marcus, Senior Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF), a world competitiveness researcher

According to the predictions made by Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute (MIC), the information service market in Taiwan is estimated to reach NT$177.5 billion in 2020 from NT$166 billion in 2017, at a CAGR of 2.5%.

Cloud services is growing the fastest at 6.8%. Initial estimates point out that the science and technology budget will increase around 5%, which is NT$114.5 billion dollars. Minister without Portfolio Wu Tsung-Tsong was quoted as saying during the launch event that the digital economy serves as the drive for cross-borders, interdisciplinary, and cyber-physical trends of development. For this reason, it is gradually changing the global industry. Furthermore, WCIT 2017 is the engine that keeps the DIGI+ innovative economy running. Minister Wu also called for joint efforts from all sectors including industry, academia, research institutes, and government agencies.

Economic Minister Lee Chih-Kung stated that WCIT 2017 is a great opportunity for over 2,000 global business leaders, tech elites, and foreign delegates to experience Taiwan's achievements as a smart city firsthand. Under the guidance of Executive Yuan and all related government agencies, iconic local companies and startups will gather to demonstrate Taiwan's successful transformation from an IT OEM state to an IT application superpower. Lee continued by saying that to echo Taiwan's New Southbound Policy*, WCIT 2017 will connect Taiwan with the emerging market of ASEAN states on the new digital infrastructure demands, broadband connection, Internet infrastructure, IoT applications, cybersecurity management, and fintech.

WCIT 2017 has invited the New Southbound 18 states and other business leaders from major ICT countries throughout the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO), World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), Open Culture Foundation (OCF), and International Sector of Institute for Information Industry.

The newly elected WITSA Chairperson Chiu Yueh-Hsiang, who is also the Director General of CISA, stated globalisation and digitalisation are the two major tendencies of the future economy. In that regard, all states are thinking to build a friendly environment for the development of the digital innovative industry. Accordingly, talent cultivation is vital to support the transformation of industries. WITSA has seen the potential of the rise of the digital economy in Asia. For the next five years WCIT will be held in the Asia Pacific region.

*Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s national development strategy includes the New Southbound Policy which aims to deepen agricultural, business, cultural, education, trade and tourism ties with the 10 ASEAN member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.

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