Build Innovative ICT Ecosystems for a Better Connected Asia
Huawei co-hosted the inaugural Huawei Innovation Day Asia in partnership with the National University of Singapore. The theme of the event was, “Building Innovation Ecosystems for a Better Connected Asia”. The forum attracted over 150 regional government officials, as well as experts from universities and research institutions. The attendees were involved in in-depth discussions on how ICT technologies can make Asian cities smarter.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr S. Iswaran graced the event as the guest-of-honour and acknowledged that the forum came at a timely juncture given Asia’s rapid urbanization and growing urban population. He noted that technological innovation will have a profound impact on the nature of jobs, the viability of business models, and the structure of economies. He added that smart cities solutions have the potential to transform cities, improve the living environment for citizens, and create new and fulfilling jobs.
The latest Huawei Global Connectivity Index 2014 has shown that ICT infrastructure is pivotal to national competitiveness and it is estimated that a 20 percent increase in ICT investment will increase a country’s GDP by 1 percent. Big Data is a key for supporting smart operations and plays an integral role in building smart cities.
Li Jin Ge, President of Asia Pacific Region, said:” ICT technologies, particularly broadband, cloud computing, Big Data, and the Internet of Things, is already driving the digitization of all industries. These technologies are also promoting improvements in planning and construction, management and operations, livable environments, and human touch in cities around the world.” With Big Data and other technologies, many cities, such as New York, Dubuque, Chicago, Seattle, London, Copenhagen, Lyon, Barcelona, Santander, Amsterdam, and Singapore, have taken the lead in launching mega city initiatives.
