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Value of IT&C market might reach 7 billion euros at end-2008

The value of the IT&C market might each 7 billion euros at the end of 2008, up by over 36 percent compared to 2007, the contribution of the sector to the gross domestic product (GDP) being estimated at 10 percent for this year, according to the estimates made by the Ministry of Communications and Information technology (MCTI).

'The communications market and information technology has seen a significant evolution, its value being appraised at some 7 billion euros in 2008, compared to 5.12 billion euros in the previous year. Compared to 2006, last year the contribution of the IT&C sector to the GDP almost doubled, reaching 7 percent. For 2008 I estimate that the IT&C sector will contribute by some 10 percent to the GDP,' Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Karoly Borbely, told Agerpres.

Borbely stressed that the IT&C represents one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy and an essential vector for Romania's re-positioning at export.

According to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the relevant domestic products are internationally known, educational software and antivirus solutions being just two examples. Likewise, in the IT sector the Romanian experts have a good reputation over 300 Romanian engineers being employed in Silicon Valley.

'Romania stood out at international level as a performer in the field, the growth rate standing above the European average. Domestic companies have managed to become significant regional players and have already imposed on the neighboring markets a range of solutions and products. Equally, Romania became a priority destination for multinational companies. If the number one at international level decided to open in Romania a production facility, other investors are expected to follow the example. Romania hasn't received accolades at international level for long, since Nokia decided to open a production facility here, ' said the communications minister.

According to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCTI), the volume of foreign direct investments accounts for over 22 percent of the total foreign investments at present.The estimates of the Romanian Agency for Investments (ARIS) show that for the entire 2008, the volume of foreign direct investments might exceed 8 billion euros, considering in the first eight months of the incumbent year, they stood at some 6.4 billion euros, up 32 percent over the same period of 2007.

For 2009, the communications and information technology minister estimates foreign direct investments will shrink, especially in the segment of infrastructure.

'Big multinational companies will undergo a waiting period, but we will have investments projects financed by the state. Structural funds are at the disposal of all those who want to make investments. In the current context, structural funds may have a major impact on the Romanian IT market, 'said Karoly Borbely.

According to the aforementioned source, big investment projects in infrastructure (broadband networks, computers, applications) will be funded especially from those funds, for public institutions and the private climate alike. The IT companies will be the indirect beneficiaries of these funds, being the suppliers of technology from which the funded organizations will purchase hardware, software and services.

As regards the current financial crisis, the official of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology deems that the effects in Romania will be less felt provided we are responsible.'Although Romania will go through the economic crisis more easily than other countries, we need a healthy economy and economy growth and for next year one of the economy's engines will be the small and medium-sized enterprises, the domestic capital. The Government has supported the sector of SMEs and next year we'll se how it will have developed. The absorption of structural funds will be also important because we need to absorb for billion euros,' said the minister of communications and Information Technology Karoly Borbely.

 

Sursa: http://www.rompress.ro

Tags: information communications technology romania funds investments being sector might market billion euros percent value