Representatives of the Ukrainian National Agency for Informatisation (NAI)), which is coordinating the introduction of information technology in the Ukraine, put forward the possibilities for the development of co-operation with the Czech Republic at a press conference yesterday. Alexander Baranov from the Office of the President of the Ukraine, vice-chairman of the NAI, expressed his appreciation of the role played by INVEX '98 and BVV. This year Ukrainian companies are presented at the fair in Brno for the very first time.

The vice-cairman of the NAI emphasised the importance of information technology to the Ukraine. "IT has the complete support of our government, a fact shown by the recent foundation of the National Agency for Informatisation, which co-ordinates all activities associated with IT," said Alexander Baranov. The area of information technology is, however, in his opinion, of far broader significance. Baranov thinks that far from being a mere technocratic affair, it has a direct influence of the development of democracy. "The development of the Internet, for example, reinforces one of the basic human rights; the right to freedom of speech and information," stated Alexander Baranov. In addition to this he thinks that information technology has a fundamental influence in the socio-economic area.

Of the role played by the National Agency for Informatisation Baranov also said that its principle tasks include integrating the activity of all other state institutions and private concerns in terms of the introduction of information technology. The Ukrainian parliament has passed the necessary laws for NAI to be able to do this, and has approved a comprehensive programme, divided into three stages, which defines the basic steps which have to be taken. "The most important steps include finding foreign partners and supporting Ukrainian companies in doing business on foreign markets. Our presentation at INVEX this week is one way of serving to further this process," stated Baranov.

A concrete result of this co-operation between the two countries should be closer co-operation between experts in the areas of computer technology and software, and a broader outlook on the part of the population towards information about the other country. Czech companies are not, at the present time, sufficiently well informed. The opening of information centres is, however, planned in both the Czech Republic and the Ukraine, which will allow companies to co-operate with greater ease. The Internet is another source of basic information, which could serve to establish initial contact.