Kathmandu, January 11:

CAN Info-Tech 2006 is all set to kick off from January 25 for six days, aimed at advancing the information technology sector with an extra vigour to make effective use of latest technology products.

Biplav Man Singh, president of Computer Association of Nepal (CAN), speaking at the press meet said that CAN Info-Tech 2006 this year would be more productive in the fields of business promotion, creating awareness, effective use of newer technology products and other innovations.

Singh said that since 1994, CAN has been organising CAN Info-Tech every year and its importance is increasing steadily. More people are visiting the exhibition every year, he said. He informed that last year a total of 2,30,000 people visited the exhibition at Birendra International Convention Centre and this year it is likely to rise to 3,00,000 visitors.

C N Upadhyaya, coordinator of CAN Info-Tech, said that the demand for the exhibition is increasing day by day. Due to this, according to Upadhyaya, CAN has planned to set up stalls outside the BICC halls as well.

A total of 170 stalls are being set up this time in and out of BICC halls, informed Upadhyaya. 110 companies are participating at the CAN Info-Tech in which products like hardware, software, communication related products and new technologies, services and special programmes would be on display.

For the exhibition of Microsoft office and Nepalinox, CAN has given stalls to the exhibitor free of cost, according to CAN. During the fair, government and non-governmental organisations will also display their activities and products along with scholarship programmes started by various colleges and schools.

IT collages, including educational institutions, are also exhibiting their programmes and services with a view to create awareness, said CAN. Four Indian IT companies are also participated. Similarly, three IT companies from China and 12 from Singapore have already confirmed their participation.

CAN is also holding a conference entitled ‘Leveraging ICT to create an engine of growth for Nepal’ as the role of information technology in the global economy. Rajib Subba, first vice-president of CAN, is coordinating this conference that focuses on information technology infrastructure, development of software and services, contribution of IT in socio-economic development, corporate issues and e-governance.

According to Subba, 38 experts from 10 countries would present their papers on the above mentioned theme.