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Vladimir Putin has spoken out about his country's technological expertise after Michael Dell asked what the IT industry could do for Russia.

The prime minister responded by saying that the country does not need any help and Russian programmers are among "the best in the world".

"We are not invalids. We do not have limited capacity. People with limited capacity should be helped. Pensioners should be helped. Developing countries should be helped," he commented.

He claimed that villages in Siberia now have internet access and every Russian school has computers and access also.

The prime minister revealed that Russia will continue to welcome investments in its IT sector and it will maintain its product development to present them to the worldwide market.

He made his comments at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, where Prime Minister Gordon Brown was also present.

The forum was brought into operation in January 1971.

According to a recent survey by Connect, the two biggest IT headaches for businesses were 'everyday hassles with IT' (37 per cent) and 'security concerns' (32 per cent).