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BARCELONA, SPAIN, 27 FEBRUARY 2023 – Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the nation’s lead digital economy agency under the Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD), today announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA), in spurring development of 5G application utilising use cases and collaborating to accelerate Malaysia’s digital economy growth.  

The MoU signing was represented by Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC and Julian Gorman, Head of APAC, GSMA.  

YB Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications and Digital said, “This MoU marks an important milestone for us especially at this vital juncture with the roll-out of 5G in Malaysia, which is expected to 80 percent coverage by the end of 2024. The use cases based on 5G technology has an immense potential to drive significant economic growth, improve social outcomes, and help Malaysia achieve its sustainable development goals, aligned to the Malaysia MADANI vision.

“We are confident that this MoU, and with GSMA’s extensive network, experience and know-how, will raise the digital capabilities, capacities and value of our digital economy.”

Amongst the sectors that will benefit from the use cases include smart cities, Industry 4.0, education, healthtech, environmental monitoring and social inclusivity. GSMA will also commit to highlight Malaysia case studies and share of contribution in GSMA Intelligence reports including the APAC Mobile Economy Report and Digital Societies report.

Under the MoU, MDEC and GSMA will also collaborate to drive interest into digital investments in line with the new national strategic initiative, Malaysia Digital, in its promoted sectors and tech enablers. It will also seek to develop the capability and capacity in Malaysia on 5G to drive the interest in Digital Investments.

Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC said, “GSMA is and will be an important partner for us as we seek to accelerate the growth of our digital economy. With their established credentials as one of the foremost authorities in mobile and digital technology and MDEC’s deep expertise in the digital ecosystem of ASEAN, the leverage and opportunities to be created under this MoU will be of significant value.”

The MoU will also seek to enhance and drive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programmes towards promoting inclusivity and sustainability of the digital economy in Malaysia.

GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide uniting more than seven hundred fifty (750) operators with almost four hundred (400) companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors.