Speech by Vice-President Ansip, in charge of the Digital Single Market, at the eGovernment conference “Simple, secure and transparent public services” in Luxembourg
Ladies and gentlemen,
The digital revolution around us reshapes how people go about their daily lives and business. The public sector cannot pretend it is not concerned by this.
If public administrations are to remain relevant, responsive and accountable to their citizens in the 21st century, they need to change – to transform – by making more and better use of ICT.
Read more: EU: Simple, secure and transparent online public services
The European Commission has launched a quality-assured beta version of the European Data Portal, with more than 240,000 datasets, at the European Data Forum. An international consortium, which is led by Capgemini and of which con terra is a member, is responsible for the implementation.
The European Data Portal (www.europeandataportal.eu) enables fast and simple searching of open data from 34 European countries and supports their systematic onward use. Open data comprises information gathered, generated or purchased by public institutions that may be used, modified and shared freely by anyone. A recently published study by Capgemini Consulting estimates the immediate market volume for open data within Europe over the next five years at 325 billion euros. The European Commission aims to use the European Data Portal to simplify access to this data, in order to more successfully tap into its enormous economic potential. However, state administrations, research institutes and the general public also stand to benefit from open data, thanks to the optimised administrative processes, increased transparency and improved possibilities for participation associated with it.
The Internet and digital technologies are shaping our world by the day – it is no longer surprising that they reach every walk of life and cross every line of business.
However, the law is unable to keep pace with the rapid rate of technological development. According to data from the European Commission (EC), only 15 percent of Europeans shop online because of current regulations. Additionally, small online businesses wishing to trade in other European Union countries face extra costs of around 9,000 euros in order to adapt to national laws. The reason is simple: there is currently no Digital Single Market (DSM) in the EU.
This week on UTalk, Carole in Luxembourg asks: “I live in Luxembourg, but I would like to set up a business right across the border, in Germany. What do I need to do?”
The answer comes from Europe Direct Communications Officer, Nina Koudelkova, who explains: “To start a new company or expand your business in another EU country you can get in touch with the relevant national contact point and find out about the rules that apply in that specific country.
Read more: Setting up a business in another EU member state – how is it done?
EU member states have approved a new EUR 131 million programme to help modernise European public administrations and provide interoperable digital services. The approval from the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) to the EU follows an agreement at the technical level with the European Parliament.
The latest round of the ISA programme, run by the European Commission, aims to ensure seamless electronic cross-border or cross-sector interaction between European public administrations. The previous ISA programme supported the creation of over 20 e-government solutions in use across the EU.
Read more: EU states approve new funding for e-govt interoperability