The Hanoitimes - Vietnam targets to become o­ne of the leading countries in terms of e-government development by 2020.

Information technology (IT) will contribute at least 8-10% of the gross domestic products in next ten years, said Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyễn Minh Hồng at an international conference o­n information and communication technology this morning in Hanoi.

Solutions include larger investment in telecommunications infrastructure, development of a healthy IT market, and improvement of IT workforce.

Professor John Vig, President of the US-based Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), said Vietnam is among 20 countries enjoying quickest development of IT sector.

However, Vietnam has not a qualified enough IT workforce to regional and international standards, he analyzed.

He hoped that the conference, which drew the participation of 100 delegates from 20 countries, including the US, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, would be a good chance for Vietnam to exchange experience with other IT powers.

PCV

PM warns central region of damaging floods

PM Nguyen Tan Dung o­n Tuesday issued an urgent telegraph, warning the central provinces of Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Gia Lai and Kon Tum of landslides and heavy floods.

At 4 AM this morning, Ninh Thuan Province has evacuated 4,706 among 18,824 households who were surrounded with water in Ninh Hai District.

Meanwhile, 840 out of 2,928 households in Khanh Hoa Province have been moved to safer areas.

Many dams in the central region are in danger of breakdown but the situations are now still under control.

In coming days, torrential rains and serious floods are forecast in the provinces from Quảng Trị to Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai and Kon Tum, causing possible floods in mountainous areas.

The Government chief asked these provinces to keep close watch at the water reservoirs and prepare well for worst cases.