The 12th CAN Info-Tech-2006, a gala exhibition organized with the objective to give information on the latest developments in the information and technological sector, concluded Tuesday.
According to Computer Association of Nepal (CAN), the organizer of the gala IT event, more than 250,000 people visited the fare that was showcased at the Birendra International Convention Centre in the capital from 23rd March. Over 230,000 people had visited last year’s exhibition.
Organizers were expecting 300,000 visitors this year. Talking to Nepalnews, Ganesh Dhungana, an official at the CAN, informed that the number of visitors decreased this year due to the School Level Certificate (SLC) examination.
The SLC exams kicked off on Monday. The organizers, however, described the fair as grand success.
A total of 110 companies, including four Indian companies, working in information and communication technology (ICT) participated in the exhibition. Most of the stalls at the show were promoting their sales offering various kinds of discounts thereby attracting a huge crowd of people.
“The number of visitors was very encouraging but the business could not be as encouraging as we had expected due to various hurdles,” said C N Upadhaya, coordinator of this year’s CAN Info-Tech.
“The government should provide some discounts for such fairs, which will contribute for the development of the IT sector in the country,” Upadhaya added.
“Participants have been able to learn about new developments in the IT sector so the fair is important in terms of providing information about latest development in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) along with sales of hardware,” he added.
The IT conference was another attraction in the annual IT fair. Altogether 38 experts including 17 professionals from ten countries presented working papers during the conference.
SchoolNet-Japan also organized a two-day winter camp for school teachers to give information about the use of IT in the education sector at the sidelines of the CAN Info-Tech. Some 100 teachers teaching at 10+2 participated in the camp.
According to CAN, three teachers will get opportunity to visit Japan for further training. SchoolNet-Japan will announce the names of the winners on Wednesday at the concluding ceremony of the 12th CAN Info-Tech.
The annual IT fair scheduled for January 25-30 in Kathmandu was postponed due to the uncertain political situation of the country.
The Association has been organising the IT event annually for the last 12 years.