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Iohannis: "Digitalisation will obviously contribute to reducing corruption”
Digitalisation will contribute toward reducing corruption, making the interaction between government and citizens simpler and less expensive as a result of such solutions, President Klaus Iohannis said Thursday.
"Digitalisation will obviously contribute to reducing corruption, and that is perhaps the most important advantage in the short run. Doing politics surely means interacting with the citizens, but public administration for the citizens means each citizen deserves respect because nobody is personally favoured. In this respect, interaction between government and the citizens will become simpler and less expensive as well as closer to the normal logics of a partnership, thanks to digital solutions. Rethinking the relationship between government and the citizens is the key to our development," Iohannis said Thursday in an opening speech to the Digital Romania - Industry 4.0 International Forum hosted by the Government House in Bucharest.
According to him, Romania must capitalize on its digital advantages that include a highly performing broadband infrastructure and a dynamic IT sector.
"In today's highly dynamic world, Romania must not miss the start, but instead capitalize in the best possible manner on its advantages, of which the following are worth mentioning: the highly performing broadband infrastructure, as Romania is among the countries with the fastest internet service; the highly dynamic IT sector that has increased in the past year by more than 20 percent to a turnover of over three billion euro; the highly skilled workforce — we have 120,000 IT experts and the number of graduates from science, technology or math faculties places Romania on a very honorable position in European Union; the innovative potential we need to take advantage of by developing a culture of success based on performance, work, honesty and integrity — exactly what we want the Educated Romania project to signify," said the head of state at the opening of the Digital Romania — Industry 4.0 International Forum organized at the Victoria Palace of Government.
În his opinion, Romania can be an important player in the smart car industry. "In this regard, we have a developed, integrated and performing auto industry, but also top-notch applied research centers and high-tech products," said Iohannis.
The head of the state emphasized that all these are arguments for Romania's becoming a development vector for the digital agenda in a regional and European context.
"But in order to render effective these advantages, we need a long-term vision to consistently support our development potential and shape Romania's trajectory in a European context and beyond that. The freshly initiated country project will address these national requirements through vision, far-reaching ambition and consensus. If we have a long-term plan in place, we will better know how to do things tomorrow," said Iohannis.
The President pointed out that the digital revolution brings about a profound change in society, and added that the EU of free circulation requires a single digital market based on freedom and security, which complements the desideratum of the European single market. "Digital networks and services could bring about the revival the European economy so badly needs, in both substance and direction," said Iohannis.
Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos and European Commissioner for Digital economy and Society Gunther Oettinger also attend the opening of the forum.