Representatives of 17 countries today met in Chisinau for the Regional Development Forum for Europe and the CIS entitled “Next-generation networks and Broadband Communications”. The event is organized by the International Telecommunication Unit (ITU) in concert with the Moldovan Information and Communication Technologies Ministry.

The head of the regional ITU Office, Orozobek Kaiyakov, said at the opening of the forum that despite the economic downturn, the development of the Information Technologies (IT) sector in Moldova has seen positive dynamics. He recalled that Moldova ranks among the first positions among the CIS countries in many IT branches. Kaiyakov also said that the implementation of next-generation networks and broadband communications are vital for Europe and the CIS as they will allow for quick socioeconomic progress.

Attending the event, Prime Minister Vlad Filat said that the e-government solutions that are being implemented in Moldova will be efficient only if modern and professional communication infrastructure is ensured. He said that solutions have to be identified so that an increasingly higher number of Moldovan citizens have access to up-to-date and cost-efficient communication technologies. The government has been encouraging foreign investment in this sector and we are aware that we will manage to have quality services only via genuine competition, Filat said.

“This is a field to which Moldova’s government is paying proper attention, as the government is aware of its catalyzing role in the economic development. A productive economic environment and an evolved social environment can be created by removing all restrictions to the communication process, mobility and efficiency of communication,” the prime minister emphasized.

Information and Communication Technologies Minister Alexandru Oleinic said that the authorities tasks are to make the 21st century technologies work for the benefit of each and every citizen and to reduce digital divide as much as possible. He added that the development of broadband communications, including via wireless technologies, is a globally accepted solution.

Attending the forum are IT specialists and experts from 17 states, among which Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Armenia, Serbia, Lithuania, etc.

The International Telecommunication Union was set up in 1865. Subsequently it became a Geneva-based specialized body of the United Nations Organization within the framework of which governments and the private sector of the UN member states coordinate IT development at the global level. Moldova has been an ITU member since 1992.