HANOI, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- The fourth World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR 2009) ended here on Friday, calling for great cooperation among countries in information technology development, Vietnam News Agency reported.

    At the forum, delegates agreed that the development of information technology plays an important role in boosting the growth of the economy. It is the "infrastructure of the infrastructure" of each country's economy and the global economy.

    Information technology has a deep impact on different aspects of the social life, and helps to bridge the gap among developed and developing countries, and between urban and rural areas, said the delegates.

    Speaking at the closing session, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Minh Hong said countries need to enhance cooperation in the information and communication technology (ICT) and information exchanges.

    Hong urged countries to further cooperate and share knowledge on ICT development in order to develop an informatic society.

    The forum is co-organized by the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) and the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications. It is the first time the forum is held in Asia.