The Kedah Digital Expo (KED) 2019 organized by the state government has recently been seen as a catalyst for the growth of digital age in Kedah.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said that organizing the expo was a part of an effort to realize the dream of the people of Malaysia who're aspiring to lead the development of their homeland in today's digital world.

"The Asian region is now becoming increasingly important as it leads in digital innovation with about 50 percent or almost three billion Internet users in Asia, making the region the largest e-commerce market.

"Such opportunities that the children of Kedah should have achieved with all that is needed for the determination, creativity and openness to accept and learn something new.

"If this is possible, it will be impossible for Kedah to become a major producer of new talents in the digital economy," he said when launching the expo at the Aman Central shopping mall .

Meanwhile, Information, Communication and Multimedia Expo, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Mohd Firdaus Ahmad said the KED 2019 was a reflection of the Kedah Menteri Besar's own ideas.

"It is the aspiration of the state government to bring together all the industry players and those in the digital and telecommunications industry in one place to compete with each other in a healthy and productive way to showcase the technology they have.

"Thus, the program highlighting the concept of 'Healthy Living' is in line with the intention and planning of the state government to move towards the implementation of Kedah Digital," he said.

According to him, various benefits and digital experiences are offered throughout the expo, such as hologram presentations, introduction of 5G technology, Face Recognition and E-Sport.

"In fact, we have also launched the Kedah state-level Optical Fiber and Connectivity (NFCP) plan," he said.

He said the state government had planned to make the expo an annual event in an effort to accelerate the development of digital technology in Kedah.

The three-day KED 2019 will feature exhibitors such as Telekom Malaysia, Celcom, Digi, Maxis, Kedah Media Unit, University Utara Malaysia (UUM), MDEC, Kulim High Technology Park (KHTP) and MCMC.

There are many exciting activities such as exhibitions, Digital Talk, digital innovation shows, e-sport competition, busker and live performances.