Next year Sofia will be a digital leader in the region, stated by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Ivaylo Moskovski at the closing session of the Digital Assembly, which took place in the period 15 - 16 June 2017, Valletta, Malta. He announced to the forum participants that during the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2018, Sofia will host the European Digital Assembly.
Minister Ivaylo Moskovski said that within the Bulgarian Presidency progress will be made in shaping the Digital market. In his words, the main objectives facing us are to facilitate connectivity and finalize a legal framework in the field of telecommunications in the European Union. During the Bulgarian Presidency we will work to strengthen confidence in personal data security, create conditions for a "smart" economy and finalize the Digital market, added Minister Ivaylo Moskovski.
"The European Union invests 3% of GDP in three interconnected infrastructure sectors - transport, energy and telecommunications. The new services in transport depend on the high quality of energy infrastructure and the modern fast-speed telecommunication connection", the Minister said. He added that connectivity is of utmost importance to people, industries, business, education and public services in Europe.
In his address Minister Ivaylo Moskovski stressed that it is extremely important that by 2025 the initiative for fast-speed access to 5G Internet in all urban areas and major transport routes in Europe be implemented. This will change a number of sectors such as road transport, health, energy, and television and radio broadcasting, he said.
Minister Ivaylo Moskovski said Bulgaria has made significant progress in the field of open data, making available nearly 2000 types of data of the administrations. He predicts that within the next two years cloud services in Bulgaria will double, which will lead to the establishment of new companies, change in business models and economic growth. The Minister pointed out that Bulgaria is developing a new Digital Strategy, as well as Strategy Industry 4.0, aimed at increasing the competitiveness of Bulgarian companies and the economy as a whole.
The vision for a digital eco-system in Europe is primarily aimed at improving people's lives and creating jobs, said Minister Ivaylo Moskovski. It allows people with digital skills to live, work and prosper in the digital economy and society. According to Ivaylo Moskovski cooperation between the government and the business is of great importance for its implementation.
The Minister added that in this area Bulgaria could share experience in alternative forms of training of software specialists, which supports the goals of universities and assists in overcoming the shortage of IT experts in the sector. That should be the direction of our efforts so that all European residents will be ready to the face digital reality we live in, said Minister Ivaylo Moskovski.
