World ICT Leaders Gather in Korea to Discuss Continuous Growth

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Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Chun Go-eun

Opening of the World Information and Communications Summit 2010

 

world it show gahna delegates

Ghana Delegates at WISC/ WIS 2010

On May 25, 2010, The Korean Communications Commission (KCC) opened the 'World Information and Communications Summit 2010' and the 'World IT Show.' The two events were opened as a means of strengthening global cooperation in the broadcast communications industry. This year, the World Information and Communications Summit was held under the theme of 'Expanding Digital Economy and Culture,' as a means to discuss the role of the broadcast communications industry in a global economic crisis. This year, nine countries attended the summit, including Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Ecuador, Iran, Ghana and Rwanda.

 

The World Information and Communications Summit is an effective way of sharing the visions and promises for cooperation for each attending country, in an effort to come to an agreement on a bright future society in the field of ICT. The summit was held under the name of 'World ICT Summit' in 2005, 2006, 'IT Ministerial Conference' in 2007 and the 'World Information and Communications Summit' since 2008.

 

History: World Information and Communications Summit 2009

When the summit was held on June 17, 2009, there were discussions concerning the future of the broadcast communications industry in an era of broadcast communications fusion. This was the first opportunity for local broadcast communications industries to make a debut into the global market. In addition, the summit benefited from its synergy effect with the World IT Show being opened jointly. The summit held last year was attended by the ministers of 15 nations including Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Poland, Paraguay and Saudi Arabia. The summit was able to be used as a means of economic diplomacy through the exhibition of IT instruments and thus advertise green growth. By hosting eight bilateral talks, Korea was able to introduce the excellence of its ITC technology and service to other countries, thus preparing a firm base for international cooperation. And finally, the summit was able to prepare a firm and wide base for the international debut of Wibro, DMB, IPTV and other broadcast communications fusion industries.

 

Year 2010

 

WICS2010

Many delegates came to WICS 2010 to share ICT policies and experiences

This year, the summit opened with the introduction of current issues, addressed by Chairman Choi Si-joong of the KCC. An important issue addressed by the Chairman was the privacy protection policies to be issued in response to an era of no boundaries through the ICT medium.

 

The World Information and Communications Summit was held jointly with the World IT Show 2010. The event, that is to be held until the 28, presented approximately 500 exhibits of the newest technology and services as a means to show the promising future advancements of the broadcast communications industry. The exhibitions of the new Korean Digital Culture and broadcast communications technology and service helped provide the opportunity for economic diplomacy.

The KCC announced that it has hopes to strengthen the cooperation between the participating nations in the broadcast communications industry through the sharing of future visions. In addition, the KCC also announced that it expects to expand the international debut of the five main broadcast communications items which include broadband, WiBro, T-DMB, IPTV and broadcasting contents through raising awareness and understanding of the Korean digital economy and culture.

 

And Beyond

Dr. Ignace Gahangara Gatare

Dr. Ignace Gahangara Gatare of Rwanda, minister of ICT

The Rwandan Government has taken an extra step after WICS 2010 to meet a company up close. During a meeting with KT on May 26, Dr. Ignace Gahangara Gatare, the minister of ICT, sought for an ideal way to expand the cooperation range between Korea and Rwanda in terms of physical infrastructure, manpower, and service.
Minister Gatare stated at World IT Show 2010, " Korea is the most competitive country in the ICT sector. We have been  cooperating for network development with Korea in the past years and hopefully we could extend our cooperation into operation service parts." Gatare is responsible for ICT policy making and coordination in Rwanda.  Rwanda and KT together have been establishing the Wibro project ' KMN'  since 2007. This year, KT made a contract with Rwanda for a national network construction project worth USD56.52 million, the cumulative orders has exceeded over USD 100 million.  Dr. Gatare added, "Until now, the partnership with the Korean Government and KT has focused on building telecom infrastructure and now we hope to work on efficient management of infrastructure."  This specifically implies an active involvement of Korea to participate in Rwanda network operating service, or support IT personnel training. Minister Gatare said, "During this visit, tangible business agreements wouldn't be concluded, but sure discuss the way to expand the cooperation with KT."
KT is looking for ways to cooperate by sending a global business manager to Rwanda last month. Kim Hansuk, director of KT global business said, "The first initiative of manpower exchanges has already taken place and further consultations with the Rwandan Government is expected."

 

ICT minestrial meeting

List of Attendees