Developing a National Knowledge Economy Strategy in Lithuania Dr. Renaldas Gudauskas

Lithuania

The European Commission report of 8 November 2000 stated, that Lithuania can be regarded as a functioning market economy and should be able to cope with competitive pressures and market forces within the Union in the medium term.

Real annual GDP growth Source: Ministry of Finance, National Development Plan

Lithuania has a labour force of around 1,8 million people. The skill level of employees is relatively high with 17,9  holding higher degrees and 44,1  having specialised education. Research and higher education institutions are concentrated in five largest cities: Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, and Panevėžys.

Digital divide Source: The complex sociological research of Lithuania as an information society

Digital literacy Source: The complex sociological research of Lithuania as an information society

Success of the development of knowledge economy in Lithuania traditionally is measured by measuring ITT sector. In 2000 ITT sector produced 4,8  of GDP, created in the service sector. The major part of ITT added value comes from import of software and hardware.

Telecommunications and IT It is perhaps the fastest growing sector of the Lithuanian economy. In 2000, gross turnover in the information technology and telecommunications market (ITT) exceeded four billion Litas. The telecommunications market accounted for around 73  of the ITT turnover, and the information technology market accounted for roughly 27 . Growth of the ITT market accounted for 18  in The hardware retail market turnover increased by 25 . Continued…

Continued: In the year 2000 there were 8 computers per 100 inhabitants in Lithuania (the European average is 35). In the 1999 there were 5,9 per 100 inhabitants. 10  of the Lithuanian population have personal computers at home, of which every third is cabled to the Internet. According to the public opinion research company SIC investigation data, Internet users make 10  of the Lithuanian population. Approximately half of all the Internet users are persons below 30. Of the said number about 50  have university education. About 3,5  of the Lithuanian population have the benefit of the Internet at home. Continued…

Growth of the Lithuanian Information Technology and Telecommunication Market in , USD m. Source: Infobalt

E-Government assessment Computer Associates International was commissioned by Lithuanian government to perform eGovernment assessment. The assessment was conducted in year 2000 and covered thirty ministries and departments, state companies, 12 selected municipalities and the counties.

The key objectives were: To understand the current technology environment and to assess the appropriateness of the IT infrastructure, to support the needs of future eGovernment. To review current IT project in order to critically assess the quality and match of project activity in individual departments against overall goals of the Lithuanian Government. To develop high level plan to fulfil future IT requirements for Lithuania.

Implementation Phases Phase 0:Create Single Entry Point Phase 1:Build the Foundations -Initiate the Intranet and a common messaging system -Centralised web hosting and consistent look and feel Phase 2:Content Development -Further development of the Intranet (data communication) -Dynamic website content, based on replicated data Phase 3:Interactive Government -Fully operational ”component based" government applications -Interactive government website

In year 2001 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania adopted the Strategic plan for the Development of Information Society for The main directions highlighted in this Plan are: skills, public administration, electronic business, culture, cultural heritage language.

The Lithuania’s Conception of Information Society Development was adopted on 28 February The objectives emphasised in the Conception are the following: Population will be able to acquire knowledge, change profession, train more easily; One computer will be set for 10 pupil in every school; Teachers and state officers will be computer literate; Libraries will be connected with the internet, at least two computers will be located at every library; Students, lecturers, science workers will be able to use modern information technologies; Conditions of services for population (public administration) will be improved; Population of city and countryside will have equal possibilities to use digital technologies and etc.;

Lithuania’s key possibilities are: The process of post-industrialisation safeguards new conditions and agents for country’s economical, social and cultural prosperity. In order to develop national economic Lithuania can use a favourable geographical location as a transit country between East and West, and tremendous market for its goods and services in the East. Participation of foreign trans-national corporations in Lithuania’s economy empower more rapid development aided by FDI. This process also gives an opportunity to absorb innovative technology, experience of international management, etc. Lithuania’s integration into EU expands the market for its products and services, creates premises for revival of foreign trade, reorganization of production of goods and services, encourages investment.

Lithuania has the least urban – rural gap among Baltic countries. The country has been developing evenly, rural Lithuania has more or less functioning industry, and if knowledge economy development strategy will be implemented in the same extend, a problem of “digital divide” for the country seems more solvable.

Development of economic-technological formations This chart visualises, that currently Lithuania vegetates in the periphery of World highway.

However, private sector is fairly passive in creation of knowledge base for Lithuanian industry. Analysis made in 2000 shoved, that only 5,9  of Lithuanian industry is oriented to scientific research compared to  in developed countries. This can slow down development of competitiveness of Lithuanian industry, or even endanger retention of current position.

This chart visualises this prospective and encourages Lithuanian government to create a development strategy, which will accelerate more rapid growth.

The Structure of Interaction of Information Society Development Institutions of the Government of Lithuania The Commitee of Information Society of Lithuania The Ministry of Transport of Lithuania The Ministry of Justice of Lithuania The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Lithuania Other Ministries The Ministry of Science and Education of Lithuania The Commission of Information society development of the Government of Lithuanian Other State Institutions

The vision of necessary resources, skills and their utilization The vision of the strategy The vision of linking of present and future The vision of the future situation The vision of Lithuania The Structure of the Vision of Lithuania

The Context of State Strategic Scenarios The Context of State Strategic Scenarios Conditions of actions Resources and opportunities Strategic Choices Current situation Weaknesses and strenghts Competition Users Tendencies Markets Desirable Vision of the State Users Business environment Markets Uncertainties Potential Results

The Strategy of the Commission of Information Society Development Strategic Direction Integration IS Strategy Context of Lithuania Context of EU Strategic Coordination Strategic Control