Moldovan premier says engine of world economy found in IT dimension

Chisinau, 15 March /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Pavel Filip today participated in the marking of the first anniversary of the opening of the Centre of Excellence in the sector of Information Technology and Communications (ITC) Tekwill. The PM thanked all those who contributed to the development of the project, noting that it represents an achievement not only for the information technology industry, but also for the entire economy, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.   

The prime minister stressed that the Centre of Excellence gave possibility to train IT specialists in line with the exigencies of the industry, thus facilitating the carrying out of documents of policies in the sector. “I have repeatedly said that the biggest wealth of Moldova represents people and especially the young gifted people. The young people who participate in the Tekwill programmes will be able to find a job in a field which is the best paid in Moldova at present and the future is certainly found in this industry, with high value added,” Pavel Filip said.   

In the context, the prime minister referred also to other actions undertaken to enhance the competitiveness of the IT industry, among which the work of the first virtual park in Moldova. Filip expressed the cabinet’s determination to remove any constraint in carrying out this project, as well as openness for implementing new ideas in the ITC sector. “I think that we must have such Centres of Excellence at other universities, as well as in regions, as the engine of the world economy is presently found in the IT dimension,” the prime minister said.    

Attending the event, development partners confirmed willingness to support the replication of Tekwill’s success. “Along with the government and the private sector, we explore possibility to extend the present programmes in regions too, in order to reach each child or young person and to contribute to a prosperous future of Moldova,” Director of the USAID programme in Moldova Karen Hilliard said. Ambassador of Sweden to Moldova Signe Burgstaller noted that her country would remain a strategic partner in the development of the IT sector by strengthening the network of innovational centres.    

In the first year of work, entrepreneurs involved in programmes backed by Tekwill managed to attract financings worth over one million dollars. Eighty startups benefited from support and 85 companies recruited new employees and improved their professional skills. About 8,000 people participated in diverse trainings organized at the centre in all.    

The Centre of Excellence Tekwill was set up within the programme, Development of Centre of Excellence in ITC Sector. It is financially supported by the programme of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency of the government of Sweden. The project is implemented by the National Association of Companies in the sector of Information Technologies and Communications, in partnership with the Technical University of Moldova and the Economics and Infrastructure Ministry.