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IT-Telecom sees big triumphs in 2008
The information technology (IT) and telecoms sector made an impressive growth in 2008 despite global economic and financial difficulties, said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan at the sector’s conference on tasks for 2009 on Jan. 2.
At the end of 2008, the sector had registered 82.25 million telephone subscribers, or 97.5 telephones per 100 people. Of the figure, 85.5 percent are mobile subscribers.
An additional 1.5 million internet subscribers registered for services in 2008, or a 28 percent year-on-year increase, bringing the total number of internet subscribers to 20.67 million and reaching a density of 24.2 percent.
IT and telecoms businesses achieved revenue of over 92.44 trillion VND (54 billion USD), a 38 percent increase on 2007.
The IT industry alone earned revenue of 4.5 billion USD, up by 20 percent over 2007. The export turnover from electronic and telecom products reached 2.4 billion USD.
Stressing the stronger impacts from the world economic downturn on Vietnam ’s economy in 2009, Deputy PM Nhan asked the sector to promote its ability in information in order to help businesses increase their competitiveness and reduce production costs.
Minister of Information and Communications Le Doan Hop said that in 2009 the sector will focus on plans to bring internet services to schools and rural areas, open a channel of news for foreigners and an online Q&A service on the ministry’s website.
The Ministry of Information and Communications plans to lower cable lines underground in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City , and speed up training of young personnel.
vna
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