Baltic IT&T 2007 Trans-Baltic ICTE Associations’ Alliance – regional industries competitiveness partner Vilma Misiukonienė European affairs manager, Infobalt association Baltic IT&T’ /04/2007, Riga

Baltic IT&T 2007 Baltic ICT industry associations Estonia – ITL Latvija – LIKTA, LETERA, LDTA, Internet association Lithuania – Infobalt, Infobalt EPA, Lithuanian business software association (former BSA) Associations are the main entry and channel to the industry for information exchange and main Actor representing the industry

Baltic IT&T 2007 History at the glance Baltic's ICT companies formed associations to promote them and be leading voice of the industry ( Infobalt (LT) in 1993, LIKTA (LV) , ITL (EE) – 2000) Trade Fairs played significant role before… An attempt to create Baltic IS cluster Associations become members of EICTA, European ICTE association In 2004 – associations signed Memorandum on collaboration

Baltic IT&T 2007 Why we need close cooperation? Small countries – small industries Investment interest in small market is quite low Voice of the industry is not heard as should be Most of the problems and gaps are the same nature

Baltic IT&T 2007 Why it’s NOW? Growing needs of the industry Significant number of companies have subsidiaries or customers in other Baltic states Professional services for SME’s are not reachable Associations have limited HR resources and competences to serve membership needs Encouragement from others (EC, European ICTE association) Structural and EU programs funding available (!) Regional cooperation should have permanent basis

Baltic IT&T 2007 What we can do? A. Coordination B. Promotion C. Joint initiatives D. Projects E. Special servises

Baltic IT&T 2007 Activities Promotion of Baltics ICT industry Coordination and organization activities of the members, events Joint iniciatives and lobbying activities Projects from Structural funds, ES FP7, CISP programs Special services: monitoring and surveys, IPR services (copyright protection, patents), specialised trainings and etc.

Baltic IT&T 2007 Example 1 Software and DB register in Lithuania - instrument for Copyright protection

Baltic IT&T 2007 Fix copyright ownership as legal fact where Registrator as third party to confirm this Software/DB copy is deposited (compiled or source code) Option for technical and legal expertise Enable to provide “Escrow” service to the third party (when SC) – reduce business risks for customers Enable risk assessment on management of intangible asset Preventional mean for enforcement of rights Registrator can confirm ownership for authorities, interested parties and provide info on rights assigned Fix copyright ownership as legal fact where Registrator as third party to confirm this Software/DB copy is deposited (compiled or source code) Option for technical and legal expertise Enable to provide “Escrow” service to the third party (when SC) – reduce business risks for customers Enable risk assessment on management of intangible asset Preventional mean for enforcement of rights Registrator can confirm ownership for authorities, interested parties and provide info on rights assigned Register – service for copyright ownership protection

Baltic IT&T 2007 Example 2 - Surveys Compensation survey – benchmarking mean Industry specific annual Compensation Survey in ICT companies - Comparison of compensation in different job families (industry specific and general job families) - Analysis of salary changes and forecasts - Analysis of compensation policies Benefits for companies to provide structured and comparable information on compensation levels and tendencies in the ICT industry in Baltic States to compare it to the market in general participating companies can identify the competitiveness of them

Baltic IT&T 2007 Implementation Form ? Resources ? Funding ?

Baltic IT&T 2007 Form? EEIG, European Economic interest group - transnational nature of grouping with uniform legal framework, independent of national legal systems and genuine instrument of synergy. since 1989 year, there are 800 EEIG (3000 partners) 68% exclusively composed of SME’s

Baltic IT&T 2007 EEIG – European Economic interest group Legal form under European “bussiness law” Composition - European members Genuine instrument of Synergy Flexibility - freedom and adaptibility Stability - legal capacity and reliability Ancillary nature - the authonomy of members

Baltic IT&T 2007 Membership of EEIG Associations Companies (public and private) Natural persons (providing professional services) Mixed nature

Baltic IT&T 2007 HR of EEIG Options: could employ own staff * (62% - 0, 23% – 1-3 pers.) staff could be staff seconded by its members * (40% - 0 pers, 31% – 1-3) legal persons ____________________________ * REGIE [European Network of EEIG] database

Baltic IT&T 2007 Example 3 EEIG participation in European R&D projects EEIG is a consortium itself EEIG have a great flexibiliy from point of view of their organization and operation EEIG is in much stronger positions than consortium formed on project basis

Baltic IT&T 2007 EEIG example. European Radios are tuned to the “EEIG Station” AER Approximately 5000 radio stations, mostly SMEs, from the majority of the EU Member States are represented in an EEIG. The Grouping is composed of national private radio associations and aims to promote private radio broadcasters’ interests in Europe and to offer technical assistance to its members. Their common objective is to develop and improve the most suitable framework for radio activity and to monitor EU action in the field of the media, telecommunications and private radio broadcasting. The EEIG also intends to promote the diffusion and use of new technologies in radio broadcasting (including the DAB - Digital Audio Broadcasting - system).

Baltic IT&T 2007 Benefits Trans-Baltic ICT EEIG – Instrument for coordination and co-operation New business opportunities for companies and industry itself Will improve Baltic’s industry visibility within EU and internationally Could better influence EU ICT related policy Create synergy and strengthens the regional industry Opens the doors to particular regional projects Could provide professional services on attractive base

Baltic IT&T 2007 Conclusions Associations need to change their clouds and provide adequate services satisfying growing needs for their membership and industry itself. “Regional cooperation should have permanent basis” LET’S GO AHEAD! LET’S GO AHEAD!

Baltic IT&T 2007 Thank you ! It’s time for discussion ! It’s time for discussion !