Merkel and Tusk open CeBIT trade fair in Hanover

left to right: Chairman of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) Thomas Enders, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk: photo - EPA

Poland is the fair's country partner this year and Merkel and Tusk were joined for the opening ceremony on Monday evening by Chairman of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), Thomas Enders.

The so-called share economy and computer and online security are the top themes of CeBIT, the world's largest high-tech event showcasing digital IT and telecommunications solutions, this year, with more than 4,000 companies from 70 countries represented.

Prime Minister Tusk said during the opening speeches that 20,000 IT and telecommunications students graduated in Poland every year.

“We have to continue towards a knowledge-based economy.” Tusk said. “We have to spend more on training, education, science, and research.”

Polish government spokesman Pawel Gras told Polish Radio that this year's CeBIT trade fair is an opportunity to show that Poland is transformning itself into a modern, knowledge-based economy.

“We are ceasing to be associated with cheap labour and beginning to show a stronger business sector in the field of modern technology,” he said. (pg)