THE Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) announced yesterday that it is actively seeking nominations for the first annual Infocomm Singapore Awards 2008 (IS Awards 08).

The IS Awards, formerly known as the APICTA Singapore League, are nomination-only awards that aim to help local infocomm enterprises expand to global markets.

The awards were set up to recognise innovative products developed by local players of the respective participating economies in this region. SiTF aims to provide awardees with at least 50 per cent local equity, as well as a platform upon which organisations can gain the prominence they deserve.

'The IS Awards will be the recognition programme not just for the local ICT industry but for the region as well,' said Pek Yew Chai, chairman of SiTF.

'The past awards programme has proven the role it plays as a major stepping stone for winners to reach out to the regional and international markets.'

SiTF also hopes that the awards ceremony will serve as an opportunity to highlight worthy organisations and allow them to meet potential investors and business partners, both local and international.

Both winners and nominees will stand to compete internationally in the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards 2008. Nominees will also be given professional feedback on their submissions from the judging panel of industry luminaries.

Mr Pek feels that the launch of the IS Awards is timely because of increasing local interest in ICT innovations.

'Last year, we received a record number of 71 nominations, which were double the nominations we received the previous year for a local competition,' said Mr Pek.

'Therefore, given the improved quality of innovators here, we feel that this year is an appropriate time to launch the IS Awards.'

The awards ceremony will be held at UniSIM from Sept 2 to 3.

The categories for nomination, as well as more information on the awards, are available at http:// www.sitf.org.sg.

This article was first published in The Business Times on 12 July 2008.