MALAYSIA'S INFORMATION and communications technology (ICT) sector is set to continue

to be one of the key industries that will radically overhauling the country's economy this year.
When Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak unveiled the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) last June,
it was clear that under the plan, all of its key growth areas are expected to make greater use of
ICT, which in turn will increase the role played by the sector in the economy. In fact, the plans
forecasted that by 2015, the ICT industry will represent 10.2% of GDP - up from an estimated
9.8% in 2009. Indeed, ICT is one of the national key economic areas in the 10MP.

In terms of ‘Digital Universe’ also, it is predicted that the amount of information and content
created and stored digitally will expand by almost 50 per cent to 1.8ZB (zettabyte) this year, and
rocketing toward over 7ZB by 2015. In Malaysia alone, the digital universe is expected to stretch
beyond US$14 million (RM42.84 million) in 2015 from US$6.7 million (RM20.50 million) in
2010. NEF through its various high-impact initiatives strives to develop more successful
technopreneurs from time to time. For this reason, NEF is looking forward to help the
government to further boost the ICT industry especially in helping to create more Bumiputera
Technopreneurs.

This year, NEF together with Astro Awani also will organize the NEF-AWANI ICT AWARDS
2011 which will be held 23 and 24 March 2011. The NEF-Awani ICT Awards is a new concept
of awards that is introduced to give recognition to deserving companies via an integrated media
platform. It is an ideal opportunity to showcase companies and give recognition to their teams for
all their hard work and effort.

In addition, NEF also had launched its first National Bumiputera ICT Directory 2010/2011. The
directory is expected to give all Malaysian technopreneurs the platform to network with others
within the ICT industry.

Other the ICT Awards and the National bumiputera ICT Directory, The Network is one of the
flagship initiates by NEF to provide a much-needed platform for exchange of information, ideas,
opinions and experiences, both inside and outside the Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) sector. The magazine not only provides a platform for discussion on ICT
topics, plus news, interviews and an all important calendar but also offers major manufacturers
and suppliers the opportunity to interact with the industry players in promoting the latest
technology available. It has been designed to reflect the NEF broader vision in promoting the
Bumiputera Technopreneurs and in ensuring their strong presence in the global ICT industry.

Hopefully, this effort would be an another excellent stepping stone for NEF to become the pre-
eminent vocal for local and international dedicated to promoting the ICT development in the
country and beyond. To all the contributors, I would like to thank you all for your kind
contributions and I am looking forward for your greater support to keep this magazine
sustainable for the benefit of all of us. Remember, Together we live, grow, learn, and remember
our friends and loved ones. Thank you for taking the time to read the Second Issue of The
Network.