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Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to thank you all for allowing me to address The International Forum “Baltic IT&T” eBaltics”, one of the largest and most significant ICT events in the Baltic Sea Region, bringing together senior government representatives, experts from European Commission and international organisations, as well as top level executives from the world’s leading ICT companies and other business sectors.
The Forum has already long-established traditions as this year it is held for 13th consecutive year.
It is noteworthy to mention that the motto of the Forum: Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness, as well as key topics defined not only reflect our current challenges in overcoming economic downturn, but also provides insight into best practices of our neighbors.
Innovation, availability of public e-services to citizens, improving performance while optimizing costs, supporting our ICT industry players in their strivings to become competitive in global markets is among priorities of Latvian government nowadays.
Information communication technologies will accelerate the necessary structural reforms to the public sector.
For a small country such as Latvia, information technology and communications provides basis for competitiveness.
It must be mentioned that Latvia is ranked last in the European Union in the export of technological and innovative products. However, it has been recognized that this sector is of the utmost importance to the economic strength of a country.
Information communication technology sector provides significant added value in modern economy and encourages implementation of innovative solutions across industries. ICT is one of the main tools to increase competitive advantage, even more; it might become a source of additional export revenue. Latvian government is ready to support strong ICT industry players, thus gaining mutual benefits.
In the European Union, information technology is also seen as tool of overcoming cross border barriers and increasing communication.
EU and Latvia are committed to improving the access for all citizens to use e- Government services.
There is a new directive on E- Services regulation that should be implemented in all member states by the end of 2009. This regulation would facilitate the mobility of people across Europe, expanding employment and education opportunities.
The relationship between state and citizen should be as convenient as possible.
An example of the recent transition to e-services can be seen in Finland, with the implementation of open source software. Here in Latvia we also must consider if such approach could lead to higher efficiency and lower cost base.
The second aim would be the development of an accessibility of information technology and services.
To overcome cross border barriers, the expansion of broadband accessibility is necessary. The European Union is working to develop a strategy to facilitate this. Latvia, which has already widespread internet access across the country, has already seen some of the benefits that an initiative like this could bring.
I have recently received and reviewed a proposal of the Latvian Information Technology and Telecommunications Association regards improvement of the public sector services’ efficiency through centralizing and outsourcing several public sector support functions, and providing solutions for more efficient and cost-effective IT infrastructure management. This proposal from major industry association today, during plenary session, will be presented by LIKTA (Latvian Information and Communications Technology Association), and more detailed discussion among industry players will be started. I wholeheartedly support the initiative and look forward to further elaborate the cooperation model proposed.
May all participants of The International Forum “Baltic IT&T” eBaltics” take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the event, and I wish all of you to have productive, inspiring and motivating event.
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