Lukashenko on HTP role and future of IT industry in Belarus

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has met with students of universities specialising in engineering and technical subjects, and among the issues under discussion were the role of the High-Tech Park and the future of the IT sector in the republic, BelTA reports

One of the participants of the event asked the Head of State to comment on the opinion that IT specialists allegedly do not contribute to the country's economy, despite the conditions created for them and a high level of salaries paid. He also asked about the future of the Belarusian High-Tech Park.

"There can be no economic development today without IT specialists," the President stressed. At the same time, speaking about the future development of the IT industry, Aleksandr Lukashenko recommended not to focus exclusively on the Hi-Tech Park. As noted by the Head of State, HTP has played its role. It will continue to work, and the state intends to further support it, but the main mission has already been fulfilled – with a quite unexpected effect. “When HTP was created and received a number of preferences, specialists from the National Academy of Sciences and large industrial enterprises got embarrassed and began to develop their own IT competencies. As a result, they created strong teams of IT specialists, and these people are already ahead of the HTP teams. That's the main point. This development around the country originated from there,” the Head of State added.

"The normal development of the economy is impossible without IT technologies, without these teams,” the President stated.