South Africa to seek Malaysia's expertise to develop broadband initiatives

KUALA LUMPUR (April 23, 2012): South Africa has invited Malaysia to collaborate in the country's broadband initiatives, especially at getting their extensive rural areas connected, Information Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said. The proposed collaboration in the area of broadband and cyber security were among topics discussed during an hour long meeting between South African Communications Minister Dina Deliwe Pule, Rais and the respective delegations at the latter's office here today. Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, Pule said that South Africa was keen to collaborate with Malaysia in the broadband fields as they acknowledged Malaysia's success story in rolling out commendable broadband services to rural areas. "Since South Africa has a vast area which is rural, and we think that we can share views and lessons of experience from Malaysia," she said. The South African minister said that the country would also like to share information and learn from Malaysia in the area of cyber security. "We are having our own Information Summit in June, and we would like to invite the minister and the officials of the department to come and join us to share their views (broadband and cyber security)," she said. She said South Africa and Malaysia would soon finalise the area of collaboration before signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the proposed pact. "We believe that we will have to identify areas of agreement and maybe then we can have MoUs," she said. Meanwhile, Rais said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) would work with South Africa's Information ministry to develop its broadband initiatives for rural areas. "We have pledged our support for South Africa's broadband development programmes and will also attend the Information summit organised in June," said Rais.