Asia Pacific Digital Leaders Meet Online at Thrive Asia Pacific to Discuss Digital Transformation for the Region

GSMA Intelligence research shows a whole-of-government approach practiced by Asia Pacific countries is advancing their progress to fully fledged digital societies

Registrations are open for Thrive Asia Pacific

2 November 2020, London: Asia Pacific’s digital business leaders and policy makers will meet online this week at Thrive Asia Pacific to discuss digital transformation strategies for the region. The three-day virtual experience takes place 3 – 5 November 2020.

“2020, the year of the pandemic, is the year that changed everything. Now, more than ever before, it is time for ambitious thinking and public-private collaboration. Digitisation is moving fast up the agenda for businesses and governments and it’s their collaborative leadership that is driving digital inclusion,” said the GSMA’s Director General, Mats Granryd.

New research from GSMA Intelligence shows how a whole-of-government approach (WGA) will help countries in Asia Pacific progress to fully fledged digital societies. The report shows how this approach is helping countries make progress on their Industry 4.0 visions. In a post pandemic world, Industry 4.0 is a way to help their economies recover and become more resilient to future shocks.

“The 2020s are pivotal for Asia Pacific countries, with many countries focusing on Industry 4.0 to drive economic recovery.  Already, countries are achieving cross ecosystem collaboration and advancements,” said the GSMA’s Head of Asia Pacific, Julian Gorman. “A whole-of-government approach is essential to streamline public and private efforts, so that no-one is left behind in a digital-centric world.”

GSMA Digital Societies Report: Asia Pacific 2020

The GSMA’s fifth annual report on digital societies in Asia Pacific surveyed government agencies, mobile operators and other digital ecosystem players in 11 focus countries:   Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

The report’s index tracked the progress of the 11 focus countries on the key aspects of a digital society: digital identity, digital citizenship, digital lifestyle and digital commerce.

In 2019, all countries on the index increased their overall score, with Pakistan, Indonesia and Thailand seeing the highest increases. From 2016 – 2019, countries in the emerging and transition categories performed strongly on the index compared to countries in the advanced category.

Whole-of-government approach (WGA)

The report’s findings provide insight into the role a whole-of-government approach can play to advance digital societies in Asia Pacific. This approach ensures better coordination of digital transformation initiatives across the public sector, complemented by private sector investment and innovation.

WGA is an opportunity for emerging and transition digital societies to leapfrog bureaucratic pain points; it’s essential for advanced digital societies to maintain their competitiveness.

Whole-of-government approach, Industry 4.0 and intelligent connectivity

Intelligent connectivity, the fusion of 5G, AI and IOT is set to drive a fourth industrial revolution, also known as “Industry 4.0.” In the post-Covid-19 era, businesses are looking for new ways to operate amid the disruption of global production lines and supply chains.

The report’s findings share how a whole-of-government approach is essential to deliver Industry 4.0 objectives. These efforts are particularly significant as countries build resilient economies for post-pandemic, economic recovery.

The majority of the survey’s respondents expect to deliver their Industry 4.0 objectives within the next five years, as outlined in their respective national frameworks. E-government services and manufacturing will benefit significantly from Industry 4.0 applications.

Mobile operators are increasingly enhancing their capacity to deliver intelligent connectivity; today, 5G is available in more than 10 countries in Asia Pacific and more than 60 operators have joined the GSMA Asia Pacific IoT Partnership Programme.

To find out more about Thrive Asia Pacific and register, please visit the website: click here. The GSMA Digital Societies Report: Asia Pacific 2020 is available to download here.

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About GSMA Intelligence

GSMA Intelligence is the definitive source of global mobile operator data, analysis and forecasts. Its data includes industry metrics updated daily comprising 30 million data points from operator groups, networks and MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) worldwide.  A team of 40 analysts and experts at GSMA Intelligence publish more than 130 authoritative industry reports. Research topics include 5G, IoT, media convergence and mobile trends. For more information, please visit www.gsmaintelligence.com and follow GSMA Intelligence on Twitter: @GSMAi

 

About GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with almost 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. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, AfricaLos Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Thrive Series of regional conferences.