PH, Malaysia discuss potential collaboration on ICT-related programs --- DICT
By Sonny Daanoy
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) of the Philippines on Monday, Jan. 15, shared a glimpse of its discussion with Malaysia regarding potential collaboration on ICT-related initiatives between the two countries.

"A focal point of the meeting was the Department's ongoing negotiation for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which is set to cover critical areas such as connectivity, digital government, emerging technologies, and cybersecurity," DICT said in a social media post.
Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, and his delegation attended a meeting with DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy at the DICT Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City.
DICT said the meeting emphasized the continued partnership between the Philippines and Malaysia, especially facilitated by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

This also led to an invitation extended to the DICT chief to attend Malaysia's "Innovation Month" event.
Moreover, the meeting also addressed major topics, highlighting the benefits derived by Malaysia and the Philippines as members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
DICT said the discussion also delved into the accelerating advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and financial technology (FinTech) platforms.

Aside from Uy and Castelino, Undersecretary Paul Joseph Mercado, Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresa Camba, and Cybersecurity Director Jose Carlos Reyes from the DICT, along with Deputy Chief of Mission Mohd Fareed Zakaria, Counsellor Nadhirah Mohammad Zanudin, and Trade Commissioner Inta Zalani from the Embassy of Malaysia in the Philippines, were also present in the said meeting.