Aussie IT And Learning Companies Seal Deal With Malaysia

By Neville D'Cruz

July 31, 2006 19:36 PM

MELBOURNE, July 31 (Bernama) -- Five Australian IT and learning companies signed commercial agreements with Malaysian solutions provider here Monday as part of the Minister for International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz's visit to Australia.

Following an Austrade-supported visit to CeBIT Australia in May, Malaysian company NCL Solutions Sdn Bhd signed agreements with Springhill Publishing Pty Ltd, Ebilities, Edupuzzles, ITEL International Pty Ltd and Experience Australia to collaborate in e-learning and education related projects.

NCL Solutions Sdn Bhd specialises in providing digital learning solutions to schools and learning institutions and is a Novell certified Linux Professional training provider.

The signing was witnessed by Rafidah and about 230 Australian business people and professionals at a Malaysian trade and investment seminar here Monday.

Austrade's Kuala Lumpur-based Senior Trade Commissioner Peter Kane said companies from Malaysia and Australia work well together.

"The great involvement of SMEs in both markets means that there is a mutual respect and a good basis for an equal and progressive partnership," Kane said.

"Malaysia's familiarity with Australia, its skilled IT labour force and cost competitive environment, make it not just an entry point to ASEAN, but in some cases China and the Middle East."

NCL Solutions managing director Cindy Chong said: "NCL Solutions was attracted to the Australian companies' willingness to work cooperatively to achieve two-way business success."

Chong, who attended school and university in Melbourne, is the former Regional (SEA) Business Development Manager Partner Account Manager for Microsoft Learning, where she worked with training and learning centres, schools and universities throughout South East Asia to promote ICT training and learning values of certifications.

-- BERNAMA

originated by bernama.com

IBA makes Malaysia move

By Karen Dearne

July 31, 2006

IBA Health has been given the keys to Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor, an elite hub of ICT companies focused on research, development and export.

MSC status extends significant business incentives for investment in Malaysia, including five years tax-free, and eligibility for R&D grants.
Recent acquisitions and contract wins have positioned IBA as the dominant provider of health information technology in Malaysia.

IBA Health (Malaysia) will concentrate on developing healthcare systems for emerging markets in India, China, Thailand and South-East Asia.

Malaysia's Trade Minister, Dato' Seri Rafidah Aziz, presented the award to IBA's chairman, Gary Cohen, at an Austrade event in Melbourne yesterday.

IBA chief executive Steve Garrington said incentives offered by the Malaysian Government included "world class infrastructure, a pro-business environment and access to a high-value, low-cost multi-language talent pool".

It has committed more than $13 million over three years to establish operations in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, Malaysian digital learning solutions provider NCL Solutions signed agreements with Australian suppliers of preschool, school-age and adult learning products.

These include Spring Hill Publishing, Melbourne; Edupuzzles, Launceston; e-bilities, Sydney, and ITEL International, Melbourne.

Austrade commissioner Peter Kane, who is based in Kuala Lumpur, said companies from Australia and Malaysia worked well together.

"Malaysia's familiarity with Australia, its skilled IT labour force and cost competitive environment, make it not just an entry to ASEAN, but in some cases China and the Middle East," Mr Kane said.