Catch Phrase of Information Technology Industry: “Let`s Go to Southeast Asia ”

Southeast Asia is emerging as a new land of great promise for the domestic information technology (IT) industry. Especially, this area serves as a fertile soil for value-oriented export with the increase in exportation of solution, which is being spearheaded mainly by high-speed Internet providers and system integration companies.

According to an industry`s report on Oct. 27th, KT, which ranks top among domestic high-speed Internet providers, has cut a series of deals overseas, teamed with its equipment suppliers. Under the deals, KT will jointly provide solution and related equipment to the high-speed Internet providers in, for example, Malaysia, Thai and Vietnam.

Previously in August, Hanaroh, Inc. consummated a package deal with an Indonesian high-speed Internet provider, which amounts to 3.5 billion won (approximately, $3 million). Thus, Hanaroh has been providing consulting and solutions for managing clientele.

But the story is not just for the IT industry. Many entities in the system integration industry have followed the suit. Hyundai Information Technology, Inc. is an illuminating example. It has snatched up contracts in Vietnam and Philippine. In the former, it will build up the online banking system, and, in the latter, will construct an online database of LGCNS` land recordings.

A couple of factors have contributed to the brisk exportation of solution by domestic corporations to the region. First, as the IT industry grows remarkably in Korea, many Southeast Asian countries are eager to learn from and about Korea. Secondly, the economic growth of that region has stimulated the vogue of constructing the IT infrastructure.

On Oct. 28th, Ministry of Information and Communication announced that it would actively support domestic corporations` advance to the region. As part of their promise, it will set up an overseas IT supporting center in Singapore.

Jong sik Kong kong@donga.com