Russia Presents Its IT Wonders at CeBIT
CeBIT, the world’s largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications products, opened in Hannover, Germany, on Thursday. Russia became the fair’s highlight this year, an initiative supported by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Mar 16, 2007
Several Russian companies have already struck lucrative deals at the fair with foreign partners. Russia is using the status of CeBIT’s partner country to promote its IT companies as well as the whole Russian IT market. The government earmarked 8.2 million rubles to pay rent for group pavilions for Russian companies. With 150 exhibitors, this country is fourth biggest exhibitor nation.
Contrary to expectations, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the CeBIT’s opening ceremony. But Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel came to the fair and visited Russia’s main showcase. The Russian presentation was divided into four display categories – Communications, Business Processes, Banking & Finance and Digital Equipment & Systems. Ms. Merkel lauded Russia’s efforts to promote IT technologies in the country and said she hoped this event would provide a further boost to collaboration between Russia and Germany in the hi-tech sector.
Russian IT and Communications Minister Leonid Reiman revealed some surprising statistics at a news conference later that day. The number of SIM cards in Russia went up from 1 million in 1999 to 15 million in 2006. Russia’s IT exports last year were worth $1.8 billion, Mr. Reiman reported. The ministry forecasts that Russian IT companies will be exporting their products worth $10 billion by 2010.
Meanwhile, a number of Russian firms have already started doing business at the fair. 1S has found first partners to test its 1S Business solution which was adapted for the German market. The first shipment of the software to Germany is due this summer. On another note, Russia’s Inter-regional Transit Telecom and British Telecom signed a deal for collaboration within the two networks, which provides for the direct connection of the networks and traffic exchange.
Contrary to expectations, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the CeBIT’s opening ceremony. But Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel came to the fair and visited Russia’s main showcase. The Russian presentation was divided into four display categories – Communications, Business Processes, Banking & Finance and Digital Equipment & Systems. Ms. Merkel lauded Russia’s efforts to promote IT technologies in the country and said she hoped this event would provide a further boost to collaboration between Russia and Germany in the hi-tech sector.
Russian IT and Communications Minister Leonid Reiman revealed some surprising statistics at a news conference later that day. The number of SIM cards in Russia went up from 1 million in 1999 to 15 million in 2006. Russia’s IT exports last year were worth $1.8 billion, Mr. Reiman reported. The ministry forecasts that Russian IT companies will be exporting their products worth $10 billion by 2010.
Meanwhile, a number of Russian firms have already started doing business at the fair. 1S has found first partners to test its 1S Business solution which was adapted for the German market. The first shipment of the software to Germany is due this summer. On another note, Russia’s Inter-regional Transit Telecom and British Telecom signed a deal for collaboration within the two networks, which provides for the direct connection of the networks and traffic exchange.