The innovation-driven development and the formation of an information society are national priorities in Belarus. The statement was made as part of the welcome address by Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich to participants and visitors of the expos TIBO 2014, Mass Media in Belarus, and the Belarusian Congress on Information Society Technologies, BelTA reports.
      The welcome address reads that information technologies play a crucial role in global development, the change of technologies, and the transition to a post-industrial information society. “The main purpose of the development of the information society in the Republic of Belarus is to improve living standards for citizens and enable opportunities for meeting needs and for the free development of the individual and the society,” reads the address. Belarus takes an active part in the formation of the information society. The penetration of broadband Internet access and mobile communication is ahead of the majority of the CIS states in terms of growth rate. Belarus is in the world’s top ten economies with the highest growth of indicators that describe the development levels of the telecommunication infrastructure and the use of information and communication technologies.