ICT Expo highlighting Laos’ digital expertise

The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications is currently hosting the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Expo in Vientiane from June 26-30 to showcase the latest in tech and digital innovation.
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Dr Thansamay Kommasith officially opened the event at Don Chan Palace Hotel on Tuesday.

The expo has 50 booths featuring new applications and devices, telecom operators, e-commerce businesses, cyber safety systems, and financial technology.
Speaking at the exhibition launch, Dr Thansamay said the expo under the theme “Create and Promote Lao Digital Transformation” would provide Lao ICT products and new technologies with the perfect platform to raise public awareness about emerging trends in the sector.
The event is showcasing innovative and sustainable ICT developments and applications in Laos, including their use in the public and private sectors.
Dr Thansamay pointed out that ICT currently played an essential role in Lao people’s work and lifestyles with innovations in computing, big data, artificial intelligence, and organisations upgrading in readiness to access 5G.
“Therefore, Laos has expanded ICT development, which has seen the number of internet and mobile phone users go from 5 percent in 2010 to 48 percent in 2018,” he said. ICT entrepreneurship had witnessed an annual growth rate of seven percent, especially in startup businesses, he added.
In addition, the event will provide information to entrepreneurs, agencies and private enterprises on the use of ICT to increase efficiency, promote entrepreneurship, and streamline services.
There will also be an International Forum on Digital Transformation, where IT experts will discuss their achievements in the transformation to a digital economy. Seminars on various topics related to ICT will be held, in which participants and experts will share their experience and knowledge related to ICT development and policies in Laos and abroad.
A Lao ICT seminar will provide a platform for local developers to discuss the challenges in data management, building IT businesses, and ICT security in the digital age.
The expo will close with the Lao ICT Awards, which will select the best IT developers to attend the Asean ICT Awards on October 23-24 in Vientiane.

By Ounkham Pimmata
(Latest Update June 27, 2019)