Information and communication technologies and rural development of Serbia

Abstract

The use of the information and communication technologies (ICTs) transforms ways of manufacturing, doing business, working, accessing public services, informing and communicating. They enable overcoming of both geographical distances and underdevelopment of infrastructures in rural regions and less developed ones. That is why ICTs can play an important role in encouraging economic development of rural areas, improvement of life quality of their population as well as lessening of social exclusion. The paper is focused upon the possibilities of invigorating rural development in Serbia on the basis of the ICTs use, primarily the Internet. The paper firstly points to the main features of the Serbian village development; then it analyses the Internet access in rural areas. Finally, it points to the ways in which the ICTs can be used for stimulating economic development of the Serbian village in addition to improving life quality of the rural population.