The 2017 World Congress on Information Technology, set to take place Sept. 10-13 in Taipei City, will provide a platform for the country’s young entrepreneurs to flex their innovative muscles and network with global industry heavyweights, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs July 25.
Speaking at a news conference in Taipei, MOEA Minister Lee Chih-kung said the event will offer emerging Taiwan talents the opportunity to foster connections with leading figures from across the globe, furthering the government’s efforts to establish the nation as a hub of tech innovation in Asia. It will also promote Taiwan’s credentials as a leading supplier of cutting-edge applications systems and services, he added.
In line with the government’s New Southbound Policy, Lee said the ministry has invited representatives from Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states to attend the WCIT to advance cooperation in areas such as broadband connectivity, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure and financial technology.
Echoing Lee’s remarks, Yvonne Chiu, chairwoman of Taipei-based Information Service Industry Association, said Taiwan has continued to play a key role in the global ICT development chain since first hosting the WCIT in 2000. Chiu was elected chairwoman of event sponsor the World Information Technology and Services Alliance in late 2016.
Chiu noted that the WCIT will be held in Asia for five consecutive years starting with this year’s edition. As lead-off runner in this Asian host country relay, Taiwan can assume a major role in strengthening digital development across the continent over the next decade, she said.
According to the MOEA, the four-day summit will see around 2,500 industry professionals from more than 80 countries and territories take part in activities spanning business-to-business matchmaking, a CEO summit on Internet of Things innovation, keynote speeches, a leaders’ round table on circular economy practices as well as a raft of parallel conferences and events.
During the event, more than 90 business leaders from home and abroad will shed light on some of the latest technological trends spanning big data, digital economy, financial technology and innovative ICT applications. Their discussions will focus on how these technologies can help address challenges including aging societies, energy shortages and environmental pollution.
The WCIT will also feature a grand exhibition themed Practicing the digital dream, Taiwan is bigger than you think. Comprising more than 600 booths set up by Republic of China (Taiwan) government agencies, industry leaders and research organizations, it will highlight the country’s transformation into a global technology powerhouse.
Other highlights of the congress will include the Global ICT Excellence Awards, a startup expo and youth forum, and post-conference industry and culture tours to Taiwan’s eight major cities to offer firsthand insights into the country’s ICT and smart city innovations. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw