The 22nd edition of CAN Info-Tech, the country’s biggest information and technology fair, began at Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu on Friday.  

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the six-day event where the latest technology and developments in the areas of information, communication and entertainment sectors are displayed. The Federation of Computer Association Nepal (CAN Federation) is the organizer of the annual event.

Sales and maintenance of computer and mobile hardware, power solutions, cyber security, mobile phones, accessories and apps and solar power systems are the major features of the event.

Inaugurating the event, Prime Minister Oli said that great changes had happened in information and communications technology (ICT), and added that there was a time when his party leaders who carried mobile phones were criticized for enjoying lavish facilities. “Now, people carry mobiles when going to the forest to search for firewood and when doing household chores,” he said.

While acknowledging the impact of ICT in service delivery and the development of the country, Prime Minister Oli warned that the same technology had also been misused to spread hatred in society and commit cyber crime.

“We have to use the advancements in technology for the betterment of society and the development of the country,” said Oli. The Prime Minister pledged that the government would put ICT in its priority list.

CAN Federation President Binod Dhakal said that the government had not given the ICT sector adequate priority, and that it had been tossed around from the Ministry of Information and Communications to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

He also asked the government to announce special programmes such as “e-Nepal” or “Digital Nepal” to expand the reach and use of the technology across the country.

The expo features 180 stalls, 49 in the main exhibition hall and the rest in three branding rooms outside it. Distributors of ICT products have offered discounts during the event. According to the CAN Federation, this has made it one of the most anticipated events in the country. While most of the exhibits at the expo are imported products, there are also stalls showcasing technologies developed locally. For example, Janaki Technology has developed an app called Sparrow that displays the load-shedding hours, calendar, exam results, daily prices and commodity prices.

A Taiwanese company named Smart Watch offers a smart watch for just Rs3,500 which also works as a mini-mobile. “Essentially, it is used on the wrist as a watch, but also functions as a smartphone,” said an official of Ugratara Technical Goods Supplier which markets the product.

Meanwhile, the CAN Federation will be hosting an annual conference on the sidelines of the expo from February 1-2.

This year’s meeting is entitled “Cyber Security: Challenges and Solutions for Developing Economies”. Topics like critical infrastructure and protection, combating cyber security incidents in Nepal, security of e-enable services and applications and surveillance and privacy will be highlighted at the conference. According to the CAN Federation, around 350,000 people visited the fair last year, and they expect footfall to cross 400,000 this year.

Tickets for the event have been priced at Rs100 with a 50 percent discount for students. The association stated that it would be streaming the event live on its website www.can.org.np and www.caninfotech.org.np.