NEWS: Bouquets for the budget

KUALA LUMPUR: Many companies in the IT and ICT industries are pleased with the incentives put forward in Budget 2010, which was announced by the Prime Minister on Friday evening.

Here are their comments in a nutshell:

Nokia Siemens Networks
(A manufacturer of cellular basestations, core networks and related infrastructure)

THE Government’s overarching commitment to innovation will surely help place Malaysia firmly on the world map. As such, we look forward to the opening of the National Innovation Centre, which promises much needed investment in technology, science and education.

NetApp Malaysia
(A storage and data management solutions provider)

WE are encouraged by the allocation of RM1.5bil to companies that supply and use green technology. Energy efficient products are vital to counter escalating energy costs and at the same time, protect and preserve our environment. NetApp hopes to also see specific subsidies offered to companies that implement smart, efficient strategies to achieve green IT. Being green is not just about being conscious of the environment but also looking at aspects of efficiency, power consumption and the application of green principles to business decision-making.

Hitachi Data Systems
(Enterprise storage solutions vendor)

WE applaud the Government’s continued emphasis on enhancing human capital, with the allocation of more than RM2bil towards education and training at public institutions of higher learning. This will improve the supply of a skilled and professional workforce, particularly for the ICT industry where Malaysia is globally recognised as a profitable regional hub for both manufacturing and services activities.

Microsoft Malaysia
(Software giant)

THE policies proposed — particularly with regards to the incentives concerning broadband and encouraging greater PC adoption among civil servants and university students — go a long way in addressing the challenges of affordability, accessibility and connectivity. This will contribute enormously to the uptake of Internet usage and broadband adoption within Malaysia, which in turn moves us closer towards our country’s vision of being a full-fledged knowledge economy.

Dell Global Business Centre
(PC vendor)

THE allocation to higher education institutions to build human capital is very welcome. Malaysia’s ICT industry is still facing a shortage of skilled IT professionals despite several key measures to tackle the problem. There are a large number of unemployed ICT graduates who do not meet today’s industry requirements. This alarming situation is further aggravated by corporate expansions and brain drain to other developed countries which offer better job prospects and remuneration. There is also a growing mismatch of graduates’ expectations and industry needs.

Autodesk
(A world leader in 2D and 3D design software)

THE introduction of the Green Building Index (GBI) to guide the industry in getting environmentally-friendly buildings certified is a move in the right direction. With the income tax exemptions for building owners obtaining GBI certificates and stamp duty exemption for buyers of GBI-certified buildings, the Government is signalling that making sustainability part of the equation in the building industry is the only way forward.

Cisco Malaysia
(Worldwide leader in networking)

BROADBAND technology and the network will play a significant role in driving productivity, innovation and a sustainable economy. While the Government’s investment and commitment to expedite the implementation of high-speed broadband are key, we must also recognise that the initiative is not just about the longer-term vision — the impact is immediate. In order for the nation to achieve developed nation status, we need to ensure that the implementation is timely. Ubiquitous broadband will create jobs, enable business efficiency and drive competitive advantage that will allow Malaysia to compete effectively on the global stage. But government effort alone is not enough and will require the collective effort of corporate Malaysia, technology leaders and service providers to realise this ambition.

Nokia Malaysia
(Cellphone manufacturer)

WE are encouraged by the allocation of RM200mil toward the development of local content through the Creative Industry Fund. Good local content is what will drive the adoption of the Internet. Nokia is a firm supporter of local content.

Lenovo
(PC maker)

THE initiative by the Government to offer a netbook package with free broadband for RM50 per month for two years to university students and low-income families must be applauded. This initiative bodes well for the Government’s aim to enhance the IT competency and competitiveness of young Malaysians. It will also serve well to narrow the “digital divide” — that gap between the technology haves ad have-nots — especially among the lower income group.

Red-Hat
(Open-source software vendor)

IT IS encouraging to note the government allocation of RM1.5bil in soft loans to companies that utilise and develop green technology.

Axis Communications
(A provider of Internet Protocol-based network video solutions)

WE applaud the Government’s RM11.3bil allocation to bump up the implementation of high-speed broadband. We are confident that this will result in more efficient monitoring of our streets and highways through digital network video surveillance.

Symantec Malaysia
(Antivirus and security software vendor)

AS the country gets more connected, Symantec recommends that the Government continue to strengthen the cybersecurity framework, because increasing broadband usage will expose users to more risks from cyberthreats. As such, we recommend leveraging on the public-private partnerships to determine the data protection legislation structure and national infrastructure, as well as technologies and industry best practices.

Motorola Technology
(Communications solutions specialist)

WE are pleased to see that Budget 2010 aims to invest in human capital development through efforts such as providing opportunities for post-graduate education (the Graduate Employability Management Scheme), nurturing a holistic development among children, creating employment opportunities, strengthening R&D and commercialisation activities to bolster the nation’s competitiveness.