German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in the presence of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, opened the world’s largest IT fair, Cebit 2009, in Hanover on Monday evening.
According to earlier announcements, ten Croatian companies will also be presented at the fair."I believe that investment in information technology is a good thing for the future," Merkel said during the opening of the fair. She expressed her belief that turning to IT, especially the internet economy, is one of the keys to overcoming the current economic crisis."With the help of new technologies, Germany can emerge from the crisis stronger," Merkel said at the opening of Cebit, which this year is dedicated to the development of the internet.
On this occasion, the German Chancellor emphasized that one of the main elements of the German government’s economic stimulus package is the expansion of broadband internet connections as a condition for the development of the economy across the broadest areas of Germany."By 2014, more than three-quarters of households in Germany must have a broadband internet connection," Merkel said, simultaneously stressing that this year’s Cebit is taking place in a "not exactly easy time."
Arnold Schwarzenegger, who represents the partner country of this year’s Cebit, California, called on the gathered IT professionals to see the current crisis as an opportunity for a new beginning during the opening of the fair. This year’s Cebit is about a quarter smaller than last year, with around 4,300 exhibitors. (Hina)
