What news is waiting for us in the field of information and telecommunication technology next year, how is the national economy going to withstand the economic downturn, and what can people expect in the upcoming year? These questions are discussed with a well-known businessman Idrakas Dadasovas, general manager of Penki Kontinentai group.

What was the year 2009 like for you personally and for Penki Kontinentai group?

Generally speaking, the year was successful and, as usual, dynamic. For me personally, it did not differ much from the previous year. Of course, some events in the business world surprised me: unexpected, sometimes questionable bankruptcies, shake-ups of well-known companies, and their incorporations. Some of them were marked by certain spontaneity.

Penki Kontinentai has succeeded to strengthen its position in the market and present innovative solutions aimed at business management and optimization. Solutions like these, together with the outsourcing services, were the most marketable for companies of Lithuania and many other countries undergoing the economic downturn.

Certainly, there is always a room for perfection; however, we have achieved the objectives that we had raised early in the year. After all, the control exercised on time is the most important in business, as well as, certainty regarding the future and purposeful pursuit of objectives.

What gladdened you the most in the year 2009, what would you wish to remember, and what would you prefer to forget or change?

What gladdened me the most was the fact that company’s staff and many others with whom I have business matters started to understand how important it is to set certain goals, priorities, and to insistently reach for them, as well as, to persistently study. However, it is disappointing that only now this was understood.

It seems odd how many ordinary people and businessmen stopped trying and a lot of companies announced bankruptcy. After all, the most important thing at this time is to focus, mobilize all efforts and move onwards. All problems are temporary, and crisis has affected not only us but many other states, as well.

At this time, we need to pay the most attention to reducing social tension, taking care of the most vulnerable society groups, and to put political ambitions aside. Seeing that they are taken care of, people would definitely not want to leave the country.

In 2009, the Lithuanian economy suffered a great downturn, the crisis affected many foreign countries, as well. How did this influence Penki Kontinentai group?

Among more than 60 countries of the world, in which the group’s solutions and services are supplied, there is quite a few that suffered only a mild damage. As an example let’s take Azerbaijan. Country’s vast natural resources, a convenient geographical location, and balanced economy let the country escape major difficulties. Our company in Azerbaijan is doing no worse than it did earlier. 

Nevertheless, we did experience certain changes. First of all, a business structure has changed as we had reoriented some of the processes. Lately, business clients have reduced investments into new equipment; however they have designated funds for the optimization of activity and structural alterations. We have directed our energy into creation of new solutions and services, which are intended for these commodities. This advanced our business into a new level; new opportunities appeared for our clients, as well.

How do you assess the perspectives for the recovery of the Lithuanian economy?

Generally, I believe them to be positive. There is no need to be afraid of what is going on now. We should clearly evaluate the present situation in financial markets and look around at what is going on in neighbor states. I am certain that if only we intercept experience of some of the EU countries, adapt particular legal acts, and preserve social stability, the economy of the country would shortly recover.

What would be the most important plans of Penki Kontinentai for year 2010? What are the new technologies that users may expect?

I can guarantee that the company will continue to expand. As for our short-term goals, we plan to establish in new markets of countries like India. I am definite that in a distant, but pretty large country we will manage to implement a number of successful projects. We plan to further develop both banking technologies and telecommunications services.

I believe that in 2010 we will have quite a few technological innovations in the fields of biometrics and mobile connection. Continuing to attach more significance to personal data protection, voice authorization solutions should also develop.

There should also be some changes in the sphere of information spread. So far, we ourselves had to look for certain information and news from a general flow, but shortly we will receive all of the desirable news individualized and automatically selected according to topics of our interest.

What would you wish for the year of 2010?

I wish all to be secure for tomorrow, to reach the set goals, and not to be afraid of various difficulties. Moreover, tough health and endurance. All difficulties are temporary. We need to overcome ourselves and to look at the world with open eyes.