A new round of discussions concerning the digitalization of Moldova with the support provided by external partners has taken place today, 27 January 2022, during an online meeting, under the aegis of the Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization, Iurie Turcanu. It has tackled the priorities set by the Moldovan Government for 2022 in the area of digitalization of the following sectors: health, education, economy and cyber security.

The event has been organised by the E-Governance Agency (EGA), and gathered together more than 50 representatives of national and international public institutions, such as: the Moldovan Parliament, the Public Services Agency, the IT and Cyber Security Service (STISC), the Ministry of Health, ATIC, UNDP, USAID, WHO, UNICEF, UN, EU Delegation to Moldova, representatives of Embassies accredited in the Republic of Moldova, business community representatives and other stakeholders. 

At the beginning of the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization thanked cordially all partners for the provided support, pointing out the accomplishments of the last half of the year, such as: amending certain legislative and regulatory acts, which would change radically the process of governing the State relationships with the citizens and business community; adopting the first package of laws on Digitalization of the Economy; opening the first Unified Centre for Public Service Provision (CUPS), etc. “Our basic goal is that each public service is accessible, primarily, in digital format, having facilitated in this way the access of Diaspora citizens to public services. We shall minimise the obligation to hold hard-copy documents”, Iurie Turcanu stated.

The Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization also tackled some priority topics laid down in the Government current agenda, pointing out the following matters: completing the development process of a new option for digital identification – MobiSign; developing a Strategy on Digital Development of Moldova, as well as further actions to be undertaken jointly with the members of the Advisory Board for the Digitalization of the Economy (iBoard), headed by Iurie Turcanu, within the Economic Advisory Council by the Prime Minister: “The promotion of electronic trade and payments, facilitation of customs procedures for online exports and enhancement of national platforms for electronic trade are the Advisory Board priorities to be mirrored in the next legislative package on the Digitalization of the Economy”, the Deputy Prime Minister added.

In turn, Olga Tumuruc, the EGA Director talked about the 2022 priorities for the implementation of Digitalization Projects in various sectors. “The E-Governance Agency has got the enabling capacity to provide assistance and support to all public institutions aimed to achieve the goals on digitalising the institutional processes and the public services they deliver. The Modernisation of Government Services remains the prime objective for me and my colleagues”, the EGA Director noted further.

Likewise, Olga Tumuruc mentioned amongst the current priorities the goal to secure the education of ICT professionals jointly with the higher education institutions: “We have got big plans and we need professionals, whose knowledge is tailored in line with the new changes taking place in this area. To this end, pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement concluded with the Technical University of Moldova, the EGA shall provide the needed support and professional assistance to educate and train the students and help them gain the necessary skills and future cooperation with the EGA”.

Representatives of the Parliament, Ministry of Health, Public Services Agency, STISC and iBoard made a brief retrospective presentation of the work done after the first meeting of Donors in this format, presented the opinion concerning the achieved progress in implementing the ongoing Digitalization Projects and the short-term goals, having emphasised good cooperation and qualified support provided by the Team headed by the Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization, through its assistance and efficient expertise.

The participants exchanged their points of view concerning the Government work in the area of digital transformation and reviewed the cooperation and assistance perspectives for the next period. Likewise, the development partners reiterated they would support the Government endeavours to secure full employment of the country digital development potential.

The joint meeting with the external development partners is a continuity of discussions launched last autumn in this format, upon the initiative of the Deputy Prime-Minister of Digitalization, Iurie Turcanu. The purpose of these meetings is to secure efficient coordination of the assistance in the digital transformation area granted to our country by the external partners.