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Economic globalization, trade liberalization, information and communication technology and customer sophistication and demands are rapidly changing the business environment. IT is no longer seen as a choice, but as a necessary strategy for an organization to adopt to improve productivity, enhance its competitive strength, and to enlarge its niche. Indeed, IT is drastically transforming the business landscape with the Internet and its facilitation of e-commerce, among others. For many businesses, their ability to incorporate IT into their operations and to use it as a strategy will determine their future viability. However, the task of strategizing IT will become more complex and difficult due to the rapid pace of its development. Coupled with even greater emphasis on the Internet and emerging applications from Internet technology in the 21st century, organizations will be required to carefully drive this information as a knowledge-based resource to exploit its full potential.

Against this backdrop, a computer and information technology trade show and conference will be organized from 25-29 January in Kathmandu, Nepal by Computer Association of Nepal (CAN). One of the main themes is to enable participants to recognize the growing importance of the role of IT in an organization to keep itself productive, competitive and relevant and to allow participants to learn the characteristics of this fast changing technology and how they can prepare themselves to cope effectively with the changes.

CAN Info Tech <www.can.org.np>: Trade shows are the efficient way for every sector of the society to stay in touch with the rapid development and the present status of technology. We get to see multiple options and multiple players under one ceiling. CAN Info-Tech is the only information technology specific yearly exhibition and conference organized in Nepal since 1995 by CAN. The exhibition not only provides channel for marketing computer and information technology products and services, but also increases awareness and computer literacy amongst the general people as well as business sectors. More than 100 Nepali and international companies are expected to participate in the up-coming CAN Info-tech 2001 and will attract more than 50,000 visitors in the course of 5 days.

Judging by the previous experiences, CAN Info Tech 2001 will also offer plenty of IT excitements. The attraction at CAN Info Tech’99 were Daura-Suruwal clad IT professionals, bevy of girls distributing leaflets, sexy iMac, cut throat price war, lone-standing VSAT, legal-illegal battle of voice mail etc. The Royal inauguration that year not only buoyed the IT industry, and provided wide media coverage to the event, but also inspired IT-freaks to give due respect to the national dress. The combination of traditional Nepali dress and most modern technology went very well in the CAN Info-Tech’99. Similarly CAN Info Tech 2000, the millenniums first show, was participated by more than 50 national exhibitors and attracted more than 20,000 visitors during the span of 5 days.

CAN Info-Tech 2001 will bring together (under one ceiling) hundreds of experts, professionals, buyers, sellers, manufacturers and suppliers to provide a forum for networking and exchange of ideas in the field of information technology. The representation from leading world companies would bring the latest in computer technology for the Nepali audience. These participants will come together in technical seminars and workshops, to discuss newer and advanced technology and products, organized by leading companies and professional groups.

IT Conference <www.itconference.com.np>:CAN Info Tech 2001 will present a dynamic, integrated two days of not-to-be-missed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) experience at the foothills of the Himalayas at the dawn of the new millennium. CAN Info-tech 2001 offers a dynamic, full-fledged two day IT Conference with the aims of providing a forum for discussions to scholars, professionals, and businesses from Nepal, SAARC and outside region. The conference also provides opportunity to discuss practical aspects of IT, which will allow the participants for mutual learning as well as an opportunity to explore new horizons and perspectives for developing nations. Besides, it provides a common forum for sharing success stories while using IT in consolidating business efforts.

The conference will consist of two days of keynotes, intense vertical tracks, in-depth technology, business, management and governance-focused sessions that will cover topics related to the information and communication technology. The technology, business, policy and strategy sessions will offer focused learning and experience is the main body of the conference. There will be an open forum during which the quick-hit panels provide for a healthy debate between the speakers and participants. The 6 tracks of the conference blend global trends with local market realities and perspectives. These are IT in Developing Countries, IT for Better quality of Life (E-Governance, E-Commerce, Distance Learning, Tele-Medicine), Breaking the ICE (Information, Communication & Entertainment) technology (WAP, Mobile Computing, New Media, Broadband, Internet Radio), Information Technology Human Resources (IT Education, IT Training, Virtual (Open) University), IT Enabled Services (Medical Transcription, Call Center, GIS Data Conversion, Software services) and IT Investment opportunities in Nepal. The last track will try to deliver all the aspects of IT investment in Nepal with the target of local and international markets in mind.

CAN Info Tech 2001 will definitely try to raise the curtains of misconception that this type of trade fair is for buying and selling only. CAN would like to make sure that this fair is much more than that and it is now beyond hardware or software etc. Participation is the sole way to find out the truth.

Subba is the Secretary General of Computer Association of Nepal. He can be reached at rajib@nepalit.com.

What CAN Info-Tech do for businesses?

One of the ironies of IT in Nepal is that the professionals who have expertise aren’t able to find investment and people with finances are investing elsewhere. None of the big business houses are in IT except a very limited participation by one or two.

Realizing this fact a special priority is given to it during the exhibition and conference. A business hour from 11 am to 1pm has been assigned on 26 and 27 January. A plenary session during the conference will be organized to explore the possibilities and opportunities of investment in IT in Nepal. The Info-Tech intends to present a holistic mix of the big picture, finer details, technical depth, and corporate level perspectives on various facets of the information and communication technology. The whole of the event will provide a diverse set of insights on different advancements on ICT initiatives around the world.

Business opportunities: Shows like this will help interested parties to look for business opportunities and alliances. Many entrepreneurs are continuously on the lookout for new and innovative ideas as viable commercial ventures. Many people on the show are constantly coming out with such new ideas because of the cooperative atmosphere that surrounds the shows like this. This is also a venue to find potential employee and employment. Finding new clients and new client bases is not always an easy task. It involves a careful market analysis, product marketing and consumer base testing. The show is a ready base of several thousand people from all walks of life. You can easily find new clients or customers from this massive group.

Analysis: Many users also do product analyses and comparisons and report their findings on the show. Very often, you can find at least one other person who may be familiar with a product you are currently testing or about to purchase. You can get first hand reports on the functionality of such products before spending a good sum. The large base of visitors is a prime area for the distribution of surveys for an analysis of the market for a new product or service idea. These surveys can reach a great many people with little effort on the part of the surveyors. Once a product is already marketed, you can examine the level of satisfaction that users have received from the product.

Expert advice and help: Beyond product analysis, there are also a great many experts on the show who make their presence widely known and easily accessible. Very often you can get free advice and help with problems you might have from the same people who are paid highly for their consulting services to large organizations, and magazines and other periodicals. Gathering information on the show about different products and technologies are quick and helpful. You can have information from the experts around the world and make interactive relationships. Communicating at the show allows people to share their ideas, problems and solutions amongst themselves. Quite often people find that others in their field have already tackled problems similar to their own. They can then get advice on their own situations and create a solution based upon this shared knowledge.

Business Opportunities

What CAN Info-Tech do for businesses?