Skopje, March 09th 2009
Information-communication technology (ICT) market in Macedonia grew by 63 percent in 2008, whereas Minister of Information Society Ivo Ivanovski and representatives of ICT companies in the country discussed Monday the possibilities for continuation of this trend in 2009.
ICT companies expressed concern over the global economic crisis, asked for organization of trainings, assistance to small firms in creating a consortium, larger promotion of Macedonian firms abroad etc.
"Companies demonstrate concern, but the Government reviews all legislation in order to help Macedonian firms, which will result in more meetings similar to this one. We will be proactive so that the crisis in Macedonia is mitigated, assisting companies to develop with the 2007-2008 tempo", said Minister Ivanovski after the meeting.
In regard to increase of trained professionals in this sector, Ivanovski stated that university quotas have been increased, along with allocation of scholarships, as well as the scheduled opening of an IT faculty in Ohrid.
He added that Macedonia is already on the map of a number of countries contemplating on investments abroad.
Asked about the 12-spot drop at the ICT global development list, Minister Ivanovski said a strategy for development of widely accessible, fast Internet has been adopted, whereas development would be faster through its implementation.
"The Government invests efforts to liberalize the market, there is WiMax, third mobile operator, 3G services, ADSL usage has increased, whereas prices are dropping", underlined Ivanovski.
Macedonian
