MALAYSIA`S IT SECTOR TO SEE 4-5 PCT GROWTH

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian information technology
(IT) industry spending is expected to grow by between four and five percent this
year despite the global economic slowdown.

In a statement here today, research firm, IDC Malaysia, said the businesses
were expected to revamp their strategies and invest prudently in information and
communication technology (ICT) to remain competitive and sustain profits.

"The global economic meltdown will have a direct effect on the Malaysian ICT
sector through 2009," it said.

IDC associate analyst (personal systems), Jaygan Fu Ponnudurai, said during
this period Malaysian companies would search for emerging technologies such as
Green IT, managed services, Web 2.0 and virtualisation, to help reduce
operational cost and maximise profitability

"This will create pockets of opportunities for the ICT companies," he said.
-- BERNAMA