ICT Info-Trade Fair kicks off in Capital

ICT Info-Trade Fair 2013, one of the prominent IT fairs in the country, opened at Exhibition Hall, Bhrikuti Mandap on Tuesday. The five-day fair was inaugurated by cultural expert Satya Mohan Joshi. The Information Communication and Technology Association of Nepal (ICT) is the organiser of the event.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, president of the ICT Association Sishir Upadhyay said that it was necessary to develop the ICT sector in order to develop the country. He also urged the government to increase its focus on the sector and get serious on making the country prosperous through the medium of IT.

“There is a need to trim the digital divide between people. We aim to increase the access of the general people to the ICT sector through events like this,” Upadhyay said.

The annual ICT fair has been initiated with the aim of making people aware about the availability of the latest IT products and showcasing world class technology to the people. There are 87 stalls from 70 companies at the expo. Unlike other general expos, the ICT Expo has very well managed with decorated stalls adding to the overall ambience.

Global and local brands are offering a wide range of products like laptop computers, desktop computers, servers, touch pads, sound systems, networking systems, security equipment, printers, home appliances, smartphones and projectors, among various others. In addition, there are various IT accessories and power products available.

Addressing the ceremony, director general of the Department of IT Kapil Dev Shrestha thanked the organizers for their initiative to develop Nepal’s ICT sector and their efforts to enhance the reach of rural people in the ICT sector and develop Nepal as an outsourcing hub.

Meanwhile, the association felicitated senior media personality Hari Sharan Shrestha, senior engineer Bijay Krishna Shrestha and former managing director of Nepal Telecom Sugat Ratna Kansakar for their contribution to the development of the country’s ICT sector. The ICT Association also donated computers to Navadurga Secondary School, Achham, Thati Lower Secondary School, Achham, Pashupati Higher Secondary School, Bajura and Badhyammadhu Higher Secondary School, Achham.

The expo is expected to draw 250,000 to 275,000 visitors during the five days it will last. Tickets for the event have been priced at Rs 50 for the general public and Rs 25 for students producing identity cards. SLC-appeared students with admission cards will be admitted free of cost.

source: the kathmandu post,10 april 2013