CAN CommTech 2017 starts

Published On: September 15, 2017 07:05 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Sept 15: The Federation of Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) inaugurated ‘CAN CommTech 2017’ in association with Subisu Cablenet in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Traders, e-commerce businesses, information technology (IT) colleges and institutions, internet service providers, and security companies have participated in the expo. The four-day-long expo, being run from September 14 through 17, has 87 stalls of 65 companies showcasing their products.

“The expo is organized with an aim to promote information technology among students, institutions, and people who are keen to know about it,” said Hemant Chaurasia, vice president of CAN.

Highlighting on the need to keep pace with changing technology, Chaurasia said: “If the perspective regarding information communication technology (ICT) is not changed and access to rural Nepal is not made possible, the country will be left behind in comparison to other countries of the world.”
He said that the public should be properly informed about ICT, and CAN was always ready to coordinate with the government for the development of ICT.

Rajendra Malla, second vice president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, appreciated an increased participation of youth in the field of information technology.

“This has become an indispensable field, so the government should reach out with subsidy to the students who want to study the subject,” Malla said.

“IT services should not remain city-oriented, rather they should be expanded to the rural areas,” he said, adding that the IT education should also be taken to the villages and students should be taught the subject from the very basic level.

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) Chairman Digambar Jha said that CAN CommTech was an important event especially for the young generation.

He also informed that Nepal was placed in the 142nd position out of 175 countries in ICT Development Index 2016.

“The digital divide that exists in the country at the moment should be curbed,” Jha said: “Broadband internet should be taken to places such as health centers and schools.”

“The use of technology should be maximized and technological capacity should be increased to curb cyber crime,” said Dr Sanjay Sharma, secretary for the Ministry of Science and Technology. He added that ICT should be used to minimize business loss and the concept of ‘digital signature’ should be developed.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Minister for Information and Communication Mohan Bahadur Basnet said that IT was a very serious and important issue. “IT helps in the development of the country. Nepal’s future lies in its development beside other fields.”

Basnet further said such events reminded government bodies of important issues and helped them understand their priorities. He pledged that telephone services would be established across the country by mid-November.

Exhibitor companies have announced various gift hampers and cash discounts for visitors of the expo.