Asian Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO) is the largest ICT organization in Asia. Every year, ASOCIO and its member economies organizes ICT SUMMIT, one of the biggest and most important events of the Asian ICT sector. Renowned ICT personalities, business people and people from ICT industries come together in this summit and share knowledge and explore new opportunities for businesses. The ASOCIO ICT SUMMIT 2013 was held from 26 September 2013 to 28 September 2013 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center Bangkok, Thailand. The three-day conference was collocated with Software

Expo Asia 2013.
This year’s event was hosted by Association of Thai ICT Industry (ATCI), along with Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) and Thai Ministry of ICT. This is the third time that ATCI hosted this event. More than 500 delegates from around 20 countries of Asia and Oceania region participated at the ASOCIO ICT SUMMIT 2013. The theme of this year’s summit was “Where Business and Innovation Connect.” The ASOCIO ICT SUMMIT 2013 had seminars, discussion sessions on the recent issues and future trends of the Asia-Oceania ICT sector. There were also business matching sessions for creating new business opportunities. At Software Expo Asia 2013, ICT companies of Thailand and other countries showcased their products and services to the visitors.

The first day was the opening ceremony of the Summit and Software Expo Asia. Prof. Dr. Supachai Tangwongsan, Chairman, Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA), Adirake Patitus, President, Association of Thai ICT Industry (ATCI) and Abdullah H. Kafi, Chairman, ASOCIO delivered welcome addresses. Mr. Kafi said that currently Asia accounted for 26% of the global ICT sector but more than half of the global population lived in this continent. He hoped that by 2020, Asia’s market share would rise to 40% but to achieve this, the countries would have to become united for innovation. Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap, Thai Minister of Information and Communication Technology, delivered the inaugural speech.
Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap, Minister of Information and Communication Technology was honored with ASOCIO ICT Award for his contribution in ICT sector of Thailand. Mr. Nakornthap is at the helm of “Smart Thailand project” which has been undertaken by the Government of Thailand. The government wants to transform the country to ‘Smart Thailand’ by the year 2020. One of the major goals is to give every child a tablet. Already, 1.7 million tablet PCs have been given to the students this year at free of cost. By 2020, 95% of the Thai citizens will have broadband Internet access and under ‘Smart Government’ project, almost 800 services will be provided to the citizens in electronic platform. N.R. Narayana Murthy, Executive Chairman & Founder, Infosys Ltd. Was also awarded for his contribution to the ICT sector of India and Asia.
N.R. Narayana Murthy delivered a keynote speech titled ‘The Future of Asia IT.’ Professor Hirotaka Takeuchi, Professor at Harvard Business School and an expert on Japanese Innovation delivered another keynote speech titled ‘Unite Asia Innovation for Sustainable Development.’ Dr. James Poisant, Secretary General, World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), delivered a keynote speech titled, ‘Fulfilling the Promise of the Digital Age in Asia through Innovation.’ All the three renowned personalities stated that the future of the Asian ICT sector was very bright. However, taking up this opportunity is a major challenge. In order to overcome this challenge, Asian countries must work together and focus on innovation and research and development. They also viewed that ASOCIO, the most important and the largest ICT association in Asia could play critical role in this regard.
Two panel discussions took place on the first day where speakers discussed about latest trends of the Asian ICT sector.

That same day, at afternoon, Information and Software Industry Association (ISIA) of Hong Kong arranged a special reception. ASOCIO Chairman Abdullah H. Kafi was the chief guest at the ceremony. Jeffrey Lam, a high official of Hong Kong government, Executive members of ISIA, several former Chairmen of ASOCIO, and many others were present at the ceremony. Mr. Kafi said that Hong Kong had one of the strongest ICT sectors in the world. The member economies of ASOCIO can learn a lot from them. At present, Hong Kong’s Mobile phone penetration rate stood at 228%, the highest in the world. The country’s peak average Internet connection speed was 57.5 mbps. Mr. Kafi felt Hong Kong should come forward and provide necessary assistance to some other ASOCIO member economies.

At ICT SUMMIT 2013 ASOCIO celebrated its 30th Anniversary. In 1984, the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO) started its journey with only five members. In 2013, ASOCIO is celebrating its 30th anniversary. It is now the largest ICT organization in the region with more than twenty member economies representing over 10,000 organizations.

An award giving ceremony and Gala dinner was organized on September 26, 2013 to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of ASOCIO. Dr. Y. T. Lee of FKII; Richard Yin of Information Service Industry Association of. Chinese Taipei (CISA) and Looi Kien Leong of PIKOM, THE NATIONAL ICT ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA received ASOCIO Outstanding Contribution Awards.

Harres Tan (PIKOM)- Malaysia; Kong Chi Wing (ISIA)- Hong Kong; KC Kim (FKII)- Korea; Mustafa Jabbar (BCS)- Bangladesh; Pravit Chattalada (ATCI)- Thailand; Rob Durie (AIIA)- Australia; Lon-Fon Shieh (CISA)- Taiwan ROC; Takashi Igarashi (JISA)- Japan; Thanongsinh Kanlagna (LICA)- Laos; Tomokazu Hamaguchi (JISA)- Japan; Truong Gia Binh (VINASA)- Vietnam; and N. R. Narayana Murthy (NASSCOM)- India received

ASOCIO Special Contribution Awards.
Bunrak Saraggananda and Adirake Patitus of ATCI, Thailand received Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Support. Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) of Thailand received ASOCIO 30th Anniversary Special Recognition Award.

At the gala dinner, Abdullah H. Kafi, Chairman, ASOCIO said, “I have been associated with ASOCIO for almost one and half decade and have participated in almost all the ICT Summits during this period. I have to admit that this year’s Summit organized by ATCI is a very special one and I will cherish its memory for a long time. I’m sure that other delegates will also have the same feeling.” Mr. Kafi then extended his gratitude to ATCI for organizing such a beautiful event. He said that ATCI had done a splendid job.
The next day, ASOCIO General Assembly and Board meeting took place. ASOCIO board members discussed about the present situation of the organization and also talked about future action plan in these two meetings. Some important decisions were taken to make ASOCIO more active in the coming months. Some of the member economies were assigned various tasks.

Software Expo Asia 2013, was organized by Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA). The 21st century is the age of Information and Communication Technology which blurred the geographical boundary and created new possibilities for human race. Focused on this technological advancement, SEA 2013 aimed to link and converge technology, innovation, businesses, ideas, and inspiration among the information technology professionals and beyond. The main theme of SEA 2013 was “Unite ASIA Innovation.”
Trairat Chatkaew, President, SIPA, told journalists that more than 300 local and International ICT vendors participated in the expo. He said that the main goal of this event was not just to showcase products and services but meet new business people and explore opportunities for business expansion. Along with exhibition, there were seminars, panel discussions and business matchmaking sessions.
A cruise trip in a river was organized in the evening of the second day. ASOCIO members socialized during the event. Along with dinner, there was a cultural event.

Around 28 delegates from Bangladesh participated in ASOCIO ICT SUMMIT. Six Bangladeshi companies under the leadership of Bangladesh Computer Samity showcased their products and services at SEA 2013.
To celebrate its 30th Anniversary ASOCIO published a commemorative book. ASOCIO was established in 1984 with five members- Japan, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Its main was to promote the ICT trading and sharing of knowledge among the ICT sectors of the Asia-Oceania region. Over the years, ASOCIO members organized numerous seminars, symposiums, dialogues and published papers. Thirty years later, ASOCIO is the biggest ICT organizations in Asia-Oceania region representing more than 10,000 companies of the region. The member economies of ASOCIO, its officials and most importantly, the leaders of ASOCIO had worked diligently and made ASOCIO what it is today. Hence, the history of ASOCIO is not only the history of an organization but the success of the Asia-Oceania ICT sector.

Titled “ASOCIO Celebrating 30 Years,” the commemorative book contains latest information and statistics of the ICT sectors of the member economies of ASOCIO. It also contains history of ASOCIO and description of important numerous important events. Former Presidents of ASOCIO talked about their experience in ASOCIO.

A committee was formed by ASOCIO administration for publishing this book. Abdullah H. Kafi, Chairman, ASOCIO led this committee and overlooked all the day-to-day activities. All the member economies of ASOCIO provided generous support for the book. The Association of Thai ICT Industry (ATCI), host of the ASOCIO ICT SUMMIT 2013, published the book. At the summit, the book was given to ASOCIO officials as well as representatives of all the member economies and honorable guests. The book was highly appreciated for its quality content and design.

ASOCIO ICT SUMMIT 2013 had seminars on the latest business trends and technology in the ICT sector of Asia-Oceania. There were also panel discussions and business match-making sessions. Renowned ICT personalities of the region participated in the conference and shared their knowledge and experience.
ASOCIO ICT SUMMIT is the flagship event of the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO). It is organized every year. Last year, Federation of Information Technology Industry and Services Sri Lanka (FITIS) hosted the event.

ATCI successfully organized ASOCIO ICT SUMMIT 2013. Abdullah H. Kafi hoped that member economies who will host this event in future would continue this standard