Despite political uncertainty and economic slowdown in the country, annual Information Technology show, the 12th CAN Info-Tech is getting popular response from the audience, according to organizers.

People are thronging at the Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC) to take part in the gala IT event being organized by the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN).

A total of 110 companies, including four Indian companies, working in information and communication technology (ICT) are participating in the exhibition. However, most of the stalls at the show are promoting their sales offering various kinds of discounts thereby attracting a huge crowd of people.

The IT fair has become a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to launch their new products and sell hardware and software. They have introduced special discounted prices of their products during the CAN Info-Tech.

“We have launched new “Point of Sales” software in the CAN info-Tech and selling it just at 5,000 rupees, down from the normal price of Rs 12,000,” said Shyamal Jha, General Manager of IT Nepal.

Officials at the Computer Association of Nepal said more than 200,000 visitors have already visited the event till Sunday. Out of which nearly 50 percent were students.

The CAN Info-Tech will come to an end Tuesday.

“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.

CAN expected up to 300,000 visitors in this year’s exhibition. Over 230,000 people had visited last year’s exhibition.

The IT conference is another attraction of the annual IT fair. Altogether 38 experts including 17 experts from ten countries presented working papers during the conference. More than 200 people participated in the conference.

“We have also tried to develop business relationship between Nepali and foreign entrepreneurs by organizing business day for first two days of the fair,” said Ganesh Dhungana, an official at the CAN.

“We have got a very positive response from foreign entrepreneurs to establish joint venture in the field of ICT,” he added.