The conclusion of the 10th ASEAN Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting (TELMIN) in Kuala Lumpur on Friday has seen greater collaboration within and beyond the region, with China, Japan and South Korea.
The two-day meeting saw delegates from ASEAN dialogue partners, namely China, Japan and South Korea, agreeing to collaborate by providing technical and financial assistance for the execution of measures enhancing ASEAN connectivity.
They were confident that ASEAN nations could play a more active role in global information communication technology (ICT) issues.
China has planned to work with ASEAN in developing its broadband technology, while continuing to strengthen ASEAN's human capital working in the ICT field.
Xi Guohua, China's Vice Minister of Industry and information Technology, told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting that China had held many professional training courses for ASEAN, sharing with the grouping China's strategy and expertise.
"If we can connect the networks from China to ASEAN, it will bring about mutual economic benefits," said Xi, adding that China had also learned a lot from ASEAN countries.
"I can say this is the most successful meeting so far," said Xi when commenting on the 10th ASEAN TELMIN.
Malaysian Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim said that Malaysia could look at China in a way to gain surveillance, security as well as their economic function.
"The Chinese have got a peculiar story to tell. With such a big population of more than one billion, the challenge of societal pressure is always there," said Rais.
Meanwhile, Rais said ASEAN must pinpoint to a few aspects when the grouping realized its three dialogue partners having the expertise they had all these years.
"So the economy, a priority, employment and the product distribution when we have a new finding in the cost of their experiments," said Rais.
At the meeting, ASEAN leaders in charge of Telecommunication and Information Technology also adopted the Asean ICT Masterplan 2015, aimed at making the bloc a global ICT hub.
Singapore and Malaysia are leading the pact with a possible lower roaming and text messaging charges, expected to be announced in two months.
Acknowledging that the plan would require huge investments, the ministers and vice ministers urge the private sectors to chip in.
Singaporean Information, Communications and the Arts Minister Lui Tuck Yew said this was a big step forward for ASEAN.
"I think if you look at the outcome as well as initiatives, implementation timetable, just to highlight one, we see ICT not only a sector in the economy which is a key, but ICT as enabler to allow the other sectors in increase in competitiveness.
"So the small and medium enterprises for example, will be able to do much better to reach out to wider consumer base," said Lui.
Japan also contributed 150,000 U.S. dollars for a second time to a fund for the implementation of ASEAN ICT projects.
The country is currently assisting ASEAN in a number of key projects, notably on information security, human resource development and disaster management.
South Korea, on the other hand, has sent experts to help ASEAN draft its ICT development policies and is supporting the bloc in expanding their ICT infrastructure.
The next ASEAN TELMIN will be held in Myanmar at the end of 2011.