GITEX 2012 INTERVIEWS ITU TELECOM World 2012 - Teletimes

Technological innovation ishappening at an extremelyrapid pace, fueling endlessopportunities for socialdevelopment and progress,said Ken Hu, Rotating CEO andDeputy Chairman of Huawei,speaking at the Forbes GlobalCEO Conference in Dubai. “Theconcepts of user-centricity,value creation, and opencollaboration are critical successfactors that have long beenpracticed by Huawei as theyhave formed our three-prongedinnovation strategy.”The annual Forbes Global CEOConference serves as a platformfor some 400 influential CEOs,tycoons, entrepreneurs andthought-leaders to exchangeinsights and build relationships.Under the theme of ‘The RaceAhead’, this year’s conferenceexamined how we can facecritical challenges in the globalcompetition for prosperity.As part of the ‘Fast Track withTechnology and Innovation’panel discussion, Mr. Hushared how new technologiesand innovation are drivingrevolutionary change across theworld and the challenges thisbrings to the ICT industry.“Successful innovation beginsby getting into the mindset ofthe customer. Only then canwe develop and provide trulyinspired, easy-to-use productsand services. Consumers willcontinue to demand faster,more powerful and moreintuitive mobile interfacesHuawei: User-centricity, valuecreation, and open collaborationare critical success factors for ICTinnovationand experiences. To meet thisdemand, the integration of ICT iscritical,” said Mr. Hu.“The goal of innovation is tocreate value. A new technologywill not make the desired impactunless it is able to add valueto the lives of its users; and,when successful, it will inspireeven more innovation,” he said.“Open collaboration is anotherfactor stimulating innovation.Sharing knowledge, information,experiences and capabilitiessaves duplicated efforts andinvestment, and makes room fornew ideas.”Ken Hu also shared his views onchanging consumption modelsand two major challenges theICT industry faces: the maturityof business models and crossindustryreadiness.“New technologies, such assmart devices, have changedlives around the world; changingthe way we communicate andempowering many with accessto information never beforeimaginable,” said Mr. Hu. “ICThas also changed traditionalconsumption models and habitsand has given birth to newindustries. In the transportationindustry, ICT is helping providea more seamless experienceas travelers can, for example,access applications that offerreal-time updates to avoid trafficand train delays.”“It is necessary to find a sustainableprofit model that can turninnovation into a successfulcommercial product.Wateen Telecom CEO participates in Forbes Global CEO Summit in DubaiSummit was attended by over 400 global CEOs, tycoons, entrepreneurs, capitalists and thought leadersWateen Telecom, Pakistan’sleading converged communicationsprovider, was recentlyinvited to participate in theprestigious Forbes Global CEOconference, held recently inDubai.The Forbes Global CEO Summittakes place annually and aimsat creating an opportunity forglobal leaders to meet, engagein business and discuss visionsfor a sustainable future. Thesummit, which concluded successfullyin Dubai, gatheredsome 400 global CEOs, tycoons,entrepreneurs, up-and-comers,capitalists and thought leadersto discuss the latest trends andinnovations that would drivethe global economy in 2013 andNaeem Zamindarbeyond.Wateen’s CEO Naeem Zamindarwas one of the selected panellistsat this event; as a panelistMr Zamindar participated inone of the event’s main plenarysessions, as well as one of theboardroom dialogue sessions.Under the theme of ‘TheRace Ahead’, the Conferenceexamined how policy andbusiness leaders are facingcritical challenges in the globalcompetition for prosperity.Panels analysed the state of theworld economy and focus onthe best strategies for successin global business. The Plenarysession discussed the latesttrends in sectors such as finance,energy and commodities,technology and innovation,entrepreneurship, urban living,as well as the best practices inphilanthropy and leadership.The event was attended by UAEVice President, Prime Ministerand Ruler of Dubai His HighnessSheikh Mohammed bin RashidAl Maktoum, Cabinet AffairsMinister Mohammed Abdullah AlGergawi, Minister of State ReemIbrahim Al Hashemi, Chairmanof the Dubai Ports, Customs andFree Zone Corporation SultanAhmed Bin Sulayem, in additionto a number of state officialsalong with other dignitariesacross the globe.Later, commenting on theForbes Global CEO conference,Mr Zamindar said, “It wasa great honour for me torepresent Wateen – andPakistan – at this incredibleevent. Not only was it a chanceto interact with global leaders,it presented an opportunity todemonstrate Pakistan’s crucialrole in the global technology andtelecommunications stage.November 2012www.teletimesinternational.com59