22 March 2022 | For: Cuban Ministry of Communications
At the Havana Convention Center, the 18th edition of the 2022 International Informatics Convention and Fair was inaugurated on March 21.
The Minister of Communications, Mayra Arevich Marín, in her speech stated: "... the XVIII International Informatics Convention and Fair 2022, an event that since its first edition in 1988 has served as a meeting point for Cuban and other specialists to share experiences and knowledge in the field of Information Technology and Communications.
"On this occasion, the motto that will accompany the event is "Together for Digital Transformation", which is a recognition of the importance of the innovative application of digital technologies in all areas of society." The Minister of Communications in her words reiterated the revolutionary precept proposed by the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, that Information and Communication Technologies constitute a strategic sector for the development of the country and ratified by our President as one of the the pillars of the exercise of government.
“In 2015, our President Díaz-Canel, during the First National Workshop on Computerization and Cybersecurity, called for strengthening and accelerating the process of computerization of society, as an expression of the will of the State and the Cuban Government to promote and massify the use of Information and Communication Technologies, to meet the growing needs for information and services, raise the well-being of the population, support the economic and social development of the country, publicize the reasons for Cuba and our truth on the Internet .
“In response to this call, the Comprehensive Policy for the improvement of the computerization of society in Cuba was prepared and approved in 2017, a governing document that defines as strategic lines the creation of technological infrastructure and the generation of national digital services and content. “In the 8th Congress of the PCC, the documents that define and support the development objectives of the country were updated, and four new Guidelines were approved related to the computerization of society, associated with the development of infrastructure, government and electronic commerce, the industry of computer and telecommunications applications and services, and cybersecurity.”
The Head of Communications referred: “The advent of the COVID19 pandemic caused in Cuba, as in the rest of the world, an increase in the use of these Technologies, especially the Internet.
“The holding of virtual meetings, the use of education and distance work, and the development and use of digital platforms for public health management increased. Internet purchases, online concerts and cultural events also increased, among other activities of people's daily lives.
“Thus, the relevance of the computerization policy of Cuban society was demonstrated, whose implementation is already reflected, among other impacts, in an increase in the use of information technology in economic and social life, an expansion of the interaction between government and citizens. and an increase in Internet access by the Cuban population.
” Mayra Arevich Marín explained: “In Cuba, more than 7 million 500 thousand people access the Internet through various means, with mobile telephony being the most used channel, since more than 80% access the Internet through a cell phone.
“The population of the 168 municipal seats in the country has 4G coverage and 1,112 popular councils in the country have at least one way to access the Internet. “The implementation of digital terrestrial television in Cuba advances… Digital television not only provides a higher quality image and sound than analog television, but it is also more efficient from the point of view of energy and use of the radio spectrum. With the transition to digital television, not only electricity is saved, but frequency bands are freed up, such as the 700Mhz band, which will allow the promotion of mobile broadband Internet service, mainly in rural areas.
“We are working on the development of electronic government to contribute to greater efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of public administration. With this objective, 263 government portals have been made available to citizens, in addition to the "Wellness" Platform that allows citizens to interact with the government and institutions, not only to receive information, but also to suggest, argue, criticize and propose.
“The Single Citizen Record, as an identity validation mechanism, the institutional use of the digital signature and online procedures and services in sectors such as legal and tax.
“The Union of Informatics of Cuba, supports in the territories the development of skills for the digital environment, the identification of problems and their solutions. Its impact has been vital in promoting the use of technology as one of the pillars of government management.
“The Digital Government Observatory was established at the University of Havana, which contributes to raising awareness, both among public administrations and citizens, of the importance of the necessary cultural change in the exercise of government.
“Although with limitations that are causes of dissatisfaction, electronic commerce diversified into new services, extended to other sectors, including non-state forms of management, and experienced an increase in the use of digital payments. “The national electronic payment platforms Transfermóvil and EnZona have continued their development, incorporating new services and features, including the management of virtual stores.
"In the Computer and Electronics Youth Club, the production of content and services on digital platforms is expanded, such as the EcuRed Cuban Collaborative Encyclopedia, the "Mochila" audiovisual product, the CursAD distance learning platform, and the game platform. online LUDOX. In its facilities electronics and robotics courses are taught, which favor the development of intellect and creativity in this field, fundamentally among the youngest.
This, together with the impulse for the development of video games that highlight our culture and the values of our society, constitute a contribution to the implementation of the policy for the care of children and youth; currently in development.” “With a view to advancing towards technological sovereignty, the development of the computer and telecommunications applications and services industry continues, with an emphasis on promoting research, development and innovation activities.
“The Scientific and Technological Parks of Havana and Matanzas have been created and Sectoral Science, Technology and Innovation Programs and associated projects are being carried out with the participation of universities and research centers.
“Advances are being made in the articulation and incorporation of the new actors in the economy, as support and active participants in the Society's Computerization Process. “The Cuban platforms Apklis for the distribution and updating of mobile applications, Picta for accessing and downloading audiovisual content and ToDus for instant messaging are consolidated; in all improving their benefits and infrastructure.
“The creation of state and private MSMEs makes it possible to streamline services to the population, increase supply and competitiveness, shorten the time to computerize processes, contribute to the substitution of imports, the increase and diversification of exports and international insertion.
Likewise, it favors the creation of jobs, the efficient management of the human talent created by the Revolution and the realization of the life projects of the professionals of the sector in the country. As a strength, he highlighted: “the human capital formed by the Cuban Revolution in the field of information technology is broad and valuable, and constitutes the main strength we have to face future challenges and challenges, in a safe and sustainable manner.
More than 50,000 university professionals have graduated in related careers. Currently, undergraduate and postgraduate offers are increasing in this field, such as, for example, Cybersecurity engineering and the specialty in the same subject.” He added: “Cuba is advancing towards Digital Transformation, as an evolutionary process that takes advantage of what has been achieved with the development and application of Information and Communications Technologies in the country, and incorporates the study, assimilation and adaptation of technological trends at the international.
“For this, it is necessary to stimulate innovative thinking, promote the use of emerging technologies, develop creative and collaborative capacity, both incremental and radical innovation and a constant renewal in the use of digital technologies, in all areas: political , social, cultural and technological.
“Cuba will continue to develop the process of computerization of society and move towards digital transformation, as part of the country's progress and based on the objectives of social justice that characterize its Revolution, to ensure the construction of an inclusive digital society and solidarity, made up of digitally capable citizens, without territorial, ethnic, gender, age or any other type of gap, that contributes to the development of people, their culture and the promotion of the most authentic values and principles of the Cuban Revolution .”