Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said Monday the way to eradicate poverty and ensure a more prosperous future was to invest in the information technology (IT).

During her weekly radio address, Rousseff highlighted a government plan to invest 500 million reais (246 million U.S. dollars) in software development, as part of its recently launched Bigger Information Technology Program.

She also said her administration would increase the number of software companies in Brazil.

"That is the way, for Brazil to join the information economy and become a great nation," she said.

"We will invest in small technology companies, which generate a lot of jobs, especially for youngsters with enormous creativity," the president said.

The program also calls for the government to promote training in the IT field and to offer software and IT companies tax breaks.

"We also reduced taxes for companies that produce semiconductors and tablet computers in Brazil," she said.

Rousseff, who graduated with a degree in Economics, stressed the importance of learning mathematics to pursue a career in science, and referred to a nationwide math contest for public school students last week.

Some 18 million students participated in the competition. 500 winners were awarded.

"Math is the first step to scientific development and innovation. It is the basis of science and it is essential for engineering, physics and computer science. It helps awaken our children's interest in science and technology," she added.