This is IT
by Ng U
P
rior to the handover, Macau’s colonial gov-
ernment did not put much effort in developing
IT. Most managerial level officials formulated
and implemented policies with a short-term transi-
tional attitude.
In addition, the city was trapped in an economic
depression and investment in the future of business
was low. Under these circumstances, despite the
rapid global development of the computer industry
and the emergence of internet, no large-sized IT
companies made a foray into the city.
However, even the most difficult times can cre-
ate opportunities - however small - to build a busi-
nesses. The fact that there was some demand in the
market - which was not yet dominated by big en- s
terprises - meant there was some room for a few IT
t
o
s
a
enthusiasts to forge a future.
a b
d
a
The MSAR Government has devised an IT l
Ç
a
development blueprint since the handover, starting at o c
n
home by promoting e-government. Since Macau was
u
/
n
n
off the radar of foreign companies during that initial t
i
o
p
development period, some early bird local IT firms
: o
t
o
found themselves in a position to prosper.
o
h
p
Iao Seng Tong: “e-government brings progress”
I
t was during this crucial He firmly believes that lated expertise: “The experience entrants to today’s IT profession
time that some firms set a skills and talent are the most and know-how need to manage have a great chance to gain ex-
clear-cut development direc- critical factor in IT development 10 computers can not be com- perience with a worldwide com-
tion for themselves and started and he says in the early years pared to that of thousands of pany and learn top technology
nurturing their own IT skills, when the economy was in reces- computers,” Iao says. and management skills.
taking advantage of the oppor- sion, very few students chose IT In today’s hugely different He believes that in being
tunity to grow. as a major: “Perhaps the insuffi- Macau with casinos and hotels direct contact with state-of-the-
Iao Seng Tong, General cient development of their senior on almost every corner, the city art products and know-how, lo-
Manager of HP Macau began his fellows hindered their decision,’’ has become a global melting pot cal professionals will gain more
career at that time and has seen Iao says wryly. unlike any other. This, simulta- confidence and communication
Macau’s IT industry change and Also at that time imported IT neously, has ushered in firt-class skills, becoming more competi-
develop over the past 10 years. technology was often not the most standard foreign IT companies tive, which in return will sta-
he is ideally placed to give us an advanced and many manufactur- and skills. bilise their career and benefit
insider’s-eye view. ers were timid in introducing the Iao says the market has ex- standards overall in the local IT
In IT for more than 20 latest products because demand panded massively and while there sector.
years, Iao started out as a pro- was almost non-existent. are more opportunities, it is a more Meanwhile, the prospect of
grammer and worked his way up This meant that local IT competitive environment in which a more stable career will attract
to general manager of the Macau professionals had no chance to only the fittest will survive. more students to IT-related disci-
branch of world renowned IT know and learn about the new- Yet from a strictly profes- plines and increase the retention
company HP. est, high-end products and re- sional point of view Iao says new of talent: “How to induce more
december 2008
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