KUALA LUMPUR (July 21): The information, communications, and technology (ICT) industry is expected to register a double-digit growth of 14.2% or RM70.9 billion in 2015, according to the National ICT Association of Malaysia (PIKOM).

This is compared to a robust 12.5% growth for the industry in 2014, PIKOM chairman Cheah Kok Hoong said at the launch of PIKOM’s ICT job market outlook report today.

The average basic salary for ICT professionals is also forecast to grow a healthy 7.4% this year to RM8,278 from RM7,706 in 2014, PIKOM's research head Woon Tai Hai said.

Meanwhile, the report showed the ICT sector’s contribution to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) has about doubled from 3.3% in 2000 to 6.4% this year.

Growth is expected to be driven by increasing demand for computer services, publishing, programming and broadcasting, especially with regards to electronic commerce (e-commerce) and online transactions.

However, challenges to the industry include a lack of computer science graduates, perception of low unemployment in the sector, and a mismatch between talents and jobs, said PIKOM.

Another concern of the industry is the widening salary gap between senior managers and fresh graduates in the ICT sector from 4.95 times in 2010 to 6.22 times in 2014, a trend which is expected to continue this year.