Gartner Commentary for Malaysia Budget 2017

Malaysia’s Budget 2017 sees an increased emphasis on digital connectivity by providing the nation with the infrastructure and services that will help to form the pillars in establishing digital businesses.

The allocation of RM162 million to the Multimedia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to encourage development in the e-commerce ecosystem and RM200 million to stimulate startups reinforces the government’s consistent commitment to support digital activities.

In line with Gartner’s predictions that by 2025, where every industry will be transformed by digital business, we are very supportive of the government’s plan to introduce the first ‘Digital Free Zone’ in the world, where we anticipate the blurring of physical with virtual worlds. Gartner looks forward to seeing more details on this promising program.

Sustained efforts to improve the coverage and quality of broadband connectivity not just in the metropolitan areas through the allocation of RM1 billion, as well as making smartphones more accessible to public servants, will no doubt enable the people to have increased digital capabilities and continue accelerating the digital transformation here.

With the initiatives announced in Budget 2017, Gartner is confident that Malaysia is on the right track to become a fully digitised Internet economy.

Tervinderjit Singh, a Gartner VP

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