DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AGENDAS & INITIATIVES WITHIN THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIES“Reimagining the Digital Era”
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONAGENDAS & INITIATIVESWITHIN THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIES

Supported by“Reimagining the Digital Era”
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONAGENDAS & INITIATIVESWITHIN THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIESSEPTEMBER 2017

Supported by

“Reimagining the Digital Era”
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONAGENDAS & INITIATIVESWITHIN THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIESSEPTEMBER 2017

Supported byTable ofCONTENTS| About the report005| Messages from ASOCIO and WITSA009| Executive Summary

013| Status of Digital Transformation in Asia Pacific Economies

017| ICT Landscape for Key Asia Pacific Economies

021| Recommendations for Asia Pacific Digital Transformation

191| Appendices

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ABOUT THE REPORTDIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AGENDAS & INITIATIVES WITHIN THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIESABOUT THE REPORTOBJECTIVE OF THE REPORTASOCIO and its research partner WITSA have together published this research paper named ‘DigitalTransformation Agendas & Initiatives within the Asia Pacific Economies’.
The objectives of this research paper are:• ‌To recognize the significance of digital transformation initiatives in some of the countries in the Asia Pacificregion• ‌To identify and discover the learning from each country’s digital transformation agenda and associated initiatives• ‌To suggest suitable objectives and collaborative action steps for countries in Asia Pacific towards transforming
APAC into a truly digital region.

COVERAGE
This research paper which was developed over the course of three months primarily covers three core aspects:

1. D‌ etailed overview of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry in twelve identified
countries in Asia Pacific. This includes the performance of ICT segments such as hardware, software, services,telecommunications, e-commerce, fintech, etc.

2. A‌ n assessment of the performance and plans with respect to digitalization in the select Asian economies.
The report also throws light on some of the critical challenges in the region regarding areas such as digital
infrastructure, digital security, and human resources, among others.

3. T‌ he research paper concludes with a set of strategically identified 8+1 core policy-level objectives andassociated action steps that could be considered as the foundation towards developing a comprehensive digital
agenda for the Asia Pacific region as a whole for the years to come.
The twelve countries covered as a part of this research are as follows:6

1. Australia

5. Korea

9. Sri Lanka

2. Bangladesh

6. Malaysia

10. Taiwan

3. India

7. New Zealand

11. Thailand

4. Japan

8. Singapore

12. Vietnam

Published byThe Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO) is an ICT federation organized by ICT
associations representing from 24 economies throughout Asia Pacific. ASOCIO was established in 1984 andit is the most time-honored and active international ICT trade organization in Asia and Oceania. Its influence
covers more than 10,000 ICT companies and represents approximately US$ 350 billion of ICT revenue inthe region. ASOCIO's objective is to promote, encourage and foster relationships and trade between its
members, and to develop the computing industry in the region.
Presently, ASOCIO represents the interests of 31 economies, comprising 24 members from Australia,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macao,Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Korea, Sri Lanka,Thailand, Vietnam and 7 guest members from USA, UK, Canada, Spain, Russia, France, and Kenya. Under
the ASOCIO umbrella, member economies are provided an opportunity to collaborate amongst the member
economies for growth.

Partner
The World Information Technology & Services Alliance (WITSA) is a global consortium of leading ICT industry
association members from over 80 countries/economies. As the leading recognized voice of the global ICT
industry, WITSA aims to drive transformation and grow the industry, given that ICT is the key driver of the
global economy:WITSA’s members and stakeholders comprise national associations, multinational corporations, institutions
and organizations, researchers, developers, manufacturers, software developers, telecommunicationcompanies, suppliers, trainers and integrators of ICT goods and services. As such, they represent a large
and obviously vital constituent group for whom the effective balancing of concerns and rights affecting
the security, privacy and information capability provided by ICT products and services underpins businessdevelopment and economic activity.

7

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AGENDAS & INITIATIVES WITHIN THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIES

Research Agency
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make better business decisions by providing actionable intelligence.
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Disclaimer: This publication contains a collection of articles sourced from various industry players, academia
and published reports. The information in this report has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable.
All views expressed in this report are based on the opinions and judgements of the publisher and partner.
This report is for general information only, and does not constitute a business recommendation orprofessional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult their own professional advisors before making any
decision based on the contents of this report.
Neither the publisher or their partners nor the research agency, of this report accept any liability for any
consequences arising from the use of this report or the material contained herein.
Publisher: Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO)
Partner: World Information Technology & Services Alliance (WITSA)
September 2017
Copyright © ASOCIO and WITSA

8MESSAGESFROM ASOCIO and WITSADIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AGENDAS & INITIATIVES WITHIN THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIESASOCIO CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

I am pleased to announce the release of the ASOCIO inaugural research
report in conjunction with the launch of ASOCIO’s new tagline titled ‘Reimagining
the Digital Era’.
Asia Pacific (APAC) strong and vibrant economy, favorable demographics,
ICT investments, and ongoing economic integration have laid the foundation
for the region to become a global leader in the digital economy. Countries in
APAC have tremendous potential to embrace, transform and lead in the digital
economy and a true digital revolution will transform the ICT development in theregion in the near future.
Countries in APAC have the opportunities to equip employees with digital
tools that can increase productivity and create a higher-skilled ICT workforce in the long run. Besides that,an increase in broadband penetration, higher worker productivity and ventures in new digital industries canuplift national GDP growth.
To bring APAC to a full digital revolution, barriers that will need to be addressed are the weakbusiness case for building out broadband, regulations inhibiting innovation in mobile financial services ande-commerce, low consumer awareness and trust hindering the uptake of digital services, lack of a single
digital market and a limited supply of local content, primarily due to the weak local digital ecosystem.
Despite all the challenges faced, it is still important for APAC countries to embrace this digital age as
it will gives benefits such as an increasingly cashless society, Industry 4.0 – Digitizing product and service
offerings, digitizing customer engagement and digitizing internal operations to increase productivity,
increase efficiency in public services and implementation of smart cities.
Besides that, in line with ASOCIO new vision; to be the Catalyst of Asia Pacific Digital Transformationand Enablement, this report plays an important role to initiate the realization of the digital economy in APAC
region.In this research, we will be sharing with you each economies digital transformation plan, key initiative
strategies undertaken in each economy as well as the importance of digital initiative in the region. Readers
would have the opportunity to understand in depth the digital agenda of various economies in APAC. At theend of the report, there are few policies recommendations for making APAC a truly digital region.
Lastly, I will like to take this opportunity to thank WITSA (World Information Technology and Services
Alliance) for its support and all 12 target economies for your generous contribution to make this inaugural
report a success.
David Wong Nan Fay
Chairman
ASOCIO

10WITSA CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE“Fully leveraging ICTs requires a society-wide effort: the government,
the business sector, and the population at large each have a critical role toplay”-The Global Information Technology Report 2016, WEF
The World Information Technology & Services Alliance (WITSA) is pleased
to co-sponsor this important report with the Asian-Oceanian Computing
Industry Organization (ASOCIO).
As Information and Communications Technology (ICT) impacts nearly
every aspect of human life, there is perhaps no factor more important to thedevelopment of ICT than that of government commitment, together with the ICT industry to fully engage inthe Digital Revolution.
Over the past several years a large number of nations have benefited and continue to benefit fromICTs. Communications, education, manufacturing, health care, transportation, urban development andresource management are but a few key sectors transformed by the incredible innovations we havewitnessed. There is much more to come. Much can be learned from the enormous efforts and investmentsthat these countries undertook and are presently undertaking to transform their societies into the DigitalAge.
In order to continue the astonishing and beneficial growth of ICT, a number of factors need to be inplace to include a quality regulatory environment, adequate infrastructure as well as reliable and dependable
cyber security, affordability and a skilled workforce. There are however complex challenges inherent in eachone of these factors.
Nations continually struggle with prioritizing resource allocations based on real-time, pressing
societal needs. Embracing ICT development may not be perceived as one of them. However, it is proventhat those countries that do make the decision to commit to ICT development benefit immensely from theirdecision.
It is our sincere desire that this work can be expanded around the globe in order to continue toaccumulate and share information which will provide great value to nations so that they too will enjoy thebenefits of ICT to the fullest. We welcome your feedback and hope you enjoy the report.
Yvonne Chiu
Chairman
WITSA

11EXECUTIVE SUMMARYDIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AGENDAS & INITIATIVES WITHIN THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIES

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PACIFIC ECONOMIESDIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AGENDAS & INITIATIVES WITHIN THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIES1819

ICT LANDSCAPEFOR KEY ASIA PACIFICECONOMIESAUSTRALIA23

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INDIA

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RECOMMENDATIONSFOR APAC DIGITALTRANSFORMATIONDIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AGENDAS & INITIATIVES WITHIN THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIES

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