The Asia Pacific Information and Communication Technology Awards, or 'APICTA', is an awards programme that was born from the need for a platform to motivate and recognise creativity and innovativeness in the ICT industry in the Asia Pacific region.

The APICTA represents a framework of cooperation between member countries that hopes to focus world attention on the innovations and cutting edge technology emerging from the region. The Asia Pacific IT & T Awards International Network, the non-profit international body that manages the APICTA, accepts membership from countries in the Asia Pacific region that have their own ICT awards event or otherwise, issues invitations for membership.

Last year's event was graced by participants from ten countries, namely, Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
It was pointed out then that the lack of access to the Internet, a valuable source of information and knowledge in the Information Age, will accentuate the growing digital divide and governments need to address this growing issue in order to evolve into a truly knowledge-based economy. Forrester Research, a leading independent research firm that analyses the future of technology change and its impact on businesses, consumers, and society, estimates that e-business opportunities in the Asia-Pacific will generate USD1.6 trillion in revenues by the year 2004, while B2B e-commerce in Asia, is estimated to reach USD330 billion.

Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad was quoted as saying that while e-business was on the rise, the flow of trade may still be in one direction, from the developed economies to the developing economies. He cautioned, "If developing countries and their industries are not ready to adopt and exploit new technologies to increase competitiveness, they may find themselves trailing behind in the new economy."

Dr Mahathir said the globalised marketplace is ruthless. It does not provide any special allowance to newcomers or to those inadequately prepared to participate in the networked economy. However, it is never the spirit of globalisation to sideline anyone. Opportunities must be provided to the developing societies in order to avoid the dependency syndrome as under the old economy.
"Therefore, developed countries need to manifest their empathy in both words and actions towards their developing counterparts," he added.

Narrowing the digital divide and creating a critical mass are crucial to ensure that developing countries do not fall behind in terms of leveraging on the opportunities of the networked world. Governments are urged to play a vital role in correcting market imperfections through policy interventions both at the Government level as well as business level to attract capital.

In a knowledge economy, the nimble footed and creative small player can play a promising role. If he finds a market space and determines his strength and niche, he can grow to become a significant player. Successful indigenous companies can also play a major role as beach-heads for other local companies to enter overseas markets, as has been successfully proven by the Irish and Indian models. Furthermore, the development of indigenous companies also attracts large foreign investors. Such investors will provide the knowledge and wealth whose transference through value creation, to the local economy, is critical for creating a knowledge society.

The APICTA aims to stimulate economic growth, boost trade relations and technology transfer and business matching programmes in the region as well as in the rest of the world. As the first international level awards in the IT industry, the attraction of the APICTA includes being able to identify and bestow global credibility to innovative regional IT achievers.

APICTA organising committee co-chairman, Dr Abu Talib Bachik, said, "Following the success of the APMITTA, the Prime Minister indicated that an awards programme for the Asia Pacific region would help to promote innovative and creative entrepreneurs in the ICT sectors throughout the region. It would not only recognise achievements, but would also provide a platform to benchmark their products with each other and stimulate economic and trade relations and technology transfer."

Dr Mahathir is the patron of the Asia Pacific MSC IT & T Awards (APMITTA) which has been organised by the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC) since 1999 to showcase the local ICT industry, especially those within the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC). Like the APMITTA, participants of the APICTA also had the opportunity to showcase their products and services at the MSC-Multimedia Asia 2001 Expo, an annual event held in conjunction with the MSC International Advisory Panel (IAP) meeting. Among those who visited the booths included Dr Mahathir and members of the MSC IAP, who are notable figures in the global ICT industry.

The judging is conducted by a panel of judges representing the academia, government and private sectors selected by the authorised governing body from each member country. A maximum of three nominations in each category are submitted online by the authorised governing body of each country through the awards website at www.itawards.com.
Although there are no financial rewards, the international recognition and exposure that the winners and nominees receive are attractive, particularly for those who do not have the means for such wide exposure otherwise.
The APICTA 2002 will be held sometime in September in conjunction with the 6th MSC International Advisory Panel (IAP) meeting and can be considered 'the' IT award of the year.