MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: Computimes, The New Straits Times

Ed Kennedy, president of the Geomatics Industry Association of Canada (GIAC), said the geomatics industry here is well positioned to work with international counterparts in terms of technology transfer to complement their areas of expertise.

"The future of the geomatics industry in Malaysia looks bright. What we see in Malaysia is companies wanting to acquire hitech innovations to complement their expertise and increase their business," he told Computimes in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. "Given the longer term for better living conditions, geomatics is one technology that helps you to achieve that. Local knowledge and global competition will lead Malaysian companies to develop new partnerships with players from other countries to take advantage of the opportunities available."

The term "geomatics" is described as a family of technologies used to acquire, process, analyse and distribute to decision-makers, geographic or spatial information. It encompasses the displines of surveying, mapping, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS).

Kennedy is on a week's business mission under a project organised by GIAC and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA-INC).

Under the project, GIAC is supporting the efforts of a team of 13 Canadian geomatics and geospatial information firms to develop new and strengthen existing relationships with local organisations. "We are here to expand the market for Canadian geomatics products and services nationally and internationally through advocacy, promotional and educational activities, business information dissemination and networking while exploring the potential for development of partnerships for specific projects identified during the market assessment study conducted in March this year based on similiar applications," Kennedy said.

Challeger Geomatics International Ltd's vice president Al N. Zaver, whose joint venture company Jurukur Perunding Sdn Bhd was incorporated seven years ago, said the geomatics industry in Malaysia is a fairly advanced sector of information and communications technology (ICT). Most of the geomatics innovations come from North America.

"North America has always been at the forefront of new technologies in geomatics," Zaver said. On the other hand, Malaysia is very keen to address hi-tech and is quick to adopt the best technologies available. Companies here are approachable, have good reputation and willing to embrace the latest technologies for better business."

He added that some local corporations like Telekom Malaysia and Tenaga Nasional have already expressed an interest to work with Canadian companies in the geomatics field.