U.S. Government to host "New Paths to Regional ICT Success" Conference in Zagreb
EMBASSY OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
USAID
Zagreb, Croatia
U.S. Government to host "New Paths to Regional ICT Success" Conference in Zagreb
Zagreb, May 12, 2006 - The U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will host a two-day regional gathering to discuss emerging information and communication technology (ICT) opportunities in southeast Europe. The event will take place on May 16-17 at the Regent Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb.
Participants in the event include Microsoft, the European Software Institute (Sofia, Bulgaria), leading ICT associations from southeast Europe, principal entrepreneurs in the ICT sector, NGOs, as well as government representatives and academics. The gathering will bring together participants from both the public and private sectors from several countries in southeast Europe to take part in presentations, roundtable discussions and interactive breakout sessions. The discussion topics include: new methods for promoting regional technical excellence and inter-firm cooperation; the development of a clear brand for southeast Europe in the global ICT marketplace; the introduction of ICT innovations into local governmental administration; the development of ICT education and certification; and the leveraging of new resources to assist ICT initiatives in the region to become self-sustaining.
Highlights of the event include a keynote speech entitled "Emerging ICT Markets for Southeast Europe" by Goran Radman, the Chairman of Microsoft South East Europe. The event will also include a visit to the new Microsoft Business Technology Center in Varazdin, which was developed as a joint project of USAID and Microsoft with the cooperation of the Croatian ICT sector.
USAID is the primary assistance organization of the United States Government. Since 1992, the United States has provided over $407 million to Croatia (much of it through USAID programs) to strengthen democratic institutions and assist in postwar reconstruction and the return of refugees, to support de-mining and economic development, and to provide educational and training opportunities. The U.S. has also provided guidance and support to the Croatian judicial and military sectors to further Croatia's integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions.