NEW DELHI, 11 June 2019: FICCI led an 11-member Indian delegation comprising Industry Members, Academia, Start-ups and ICT experts to Khanty-Mansiysk in Russia for a two-day XI International IT Forum that began yesterday.

The aim of FICCI led delegation is to promote unique strengths in emerging technologies like AI, IoT, blockchain and big data analytics, and encourage collaboration with the Indian IT industry in the areas of IoT ecosystem, Industry 4.0 and Smart Cities.

Both the nations have set an ambitious task to achieve an investment target of $50 billion by 2025 with a special focus on cooperation in the high-tech sector, and emerging technologies.

Mr Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Moscow, said thatthe government is using technology for reducing digital gap and for bringing the people out of poverty and inequality. He cited the example of Direct Benefit Transfer in LPG subsidy which saved $15 billion for the government.

Mr Rajat Moona, Director, IIT and former Director General, CDAC, said, "ICT has not only connected people and systems across economies, but it also has delivered significant economic growth, created opportunities of jobs and created wealth across the globe."

Mr Parminder Kakria, Co-Chairman, FICCI ICT and Digital Economy Committee, sharing his views on "Making smart city cyber secure", said, "Emerging technologies can play a huge role in the development of the information society and empowering its citizen."

Key members of the delegation also deliberated on strategic sessions covering machine learning, internet of things and artificial intelligence, digital tools in the health sphere, electronic medical document flow and development of digital data economies with cooperation with BRICS and SCO countries.

With the objective to showcase the strength of Indian information technology, start-ups and electronics industry, several members of India delegation participated as exhibitors under the India Pavilion coordinated by FICCI at the forum.

The International IT forum brought together industry leaders from BRICS and SCO nations as well as other countries to strengthen digital interdependence and expand the use of emerging technologies and facilitate accelerated growth of digital economies.