Havana, March 22 (RHC)-- The role of digitization in the economic and social development of Latin America is one of the topics that stand out this Tuesday at the 18th International Convention and Fair "Informática 2022" underway in the Cuban capital.

Maryleana Méndez, secretary-general of the Inter-American Association of Telecommunications Companies, will deliver a key-note address on the issue during the hybrid event taking place at Havana's Convention Center.

Informatica 2022 got underway Monday with the presence of  Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel. The event brings together professionals from the information technology sector from 14 countries who will discuss telecommunications, cybersecurity, the software industry, electronics, robotics, and computer sciences.

In its first session,  Deputy Prime Minister José Luis Perdomo said that digital transformation on the island is a pillar of government aimed at increasing popular participation and interaction between citizens and the public administration.

According to him, the goals set in this area demand the creation of new capacities, the diversification of the technological actors in the industry, and the strengthening of the e-government programs of the different municipalities.

Likewise, the representative of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for Central America, Miguel Alcaine, acknowledged the efforts of the Caribbean nation to expand the broadband infrastructure to promote the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) effectively.

He also praised Cuba's efforts to boost the creation of small and medium-sized enterprises, which he considered vital for innovation and job creation.

For her part, Cuba's Minister of Communications, Mayra Arevich stressed the government's will to continue increasing the services provided to the population.

Cuba, she said, will continue to develop the society's informatization process and advance towards digital transformation to ensure the construction of an inclusive digital society, with solidarity, without social gaps, and to contribute to the development of people and the most authentic values of its Revolution.

Until next Friday,  more than 270 national and foreign papers from countries such as Mexico, Spain, China, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and France will be presented at the convention.

The exhibition fair, developed alongside the theoretical event, aims to create strategic alliances, exchange experiences, and present applications, solutions, and services in this field.