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Latvian Information Technology and Telecommunications Association

LITTA

Latvia@Worldan Information Society project

October 2004

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Objectives of the project

To assist Latvia’s population in overcoming the digital divide and social exclusion

To promote access to public and private business services available on the Internet

To accelerate the development of Information society in remote regions

LITTA is ready to act as initiator and catalyst by enlisting the resources of the public sector and of private industry

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Promoting Information Society

The Information society is a prerequisite for sustained economic development of the country

It is the first step towards Knowledge economy, focused on high value-added products and services

The success of the development of Information society depends upon reaching a critical mass of IT literate users

It is planned to initiate 180 000 new users in small towns and rural areas to Internet services and to make 1000 public access points (PAP) available

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Economically active population in the Baltics (15-74 years old)

Latvia 1 818 000 Estonia 1 047 000 Lithuania 2 625 000

(CSB data, 1.01.2002)

In Latvia 10% represents 180 000 people

TNS in Baltics: TNS Emor, BMF Latvia, TNS Gallup

March-May, 2003

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ICT usage statistics

 Country

PC users Population sample

1343Internet users (within

last 6 months)

Active Internet users (at least 5

days a week)

Latvia 37% 24% 9%

Estonia 49% 45% 22%

Lithuania 34% 23% 9%

TNS in Baltics: TNS Emor, BMF Latvia, TNS Gallup

March-May, 2003

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Target audience (1)

Mostly SME employees, individual business people, small town and country-dwellers

Other target groups Unemployed persons People who need retraining People with special needs

Library, school, municipal employees, who need to acquire supplemental abilities, at the ECDL level.

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Target audience (2)

People without any experience in using computers and the Internet

People who have some experience with computers but who have never used Internet services, such as on-line banking, paying utility bills, or e-mail

The main objective is to promote e-inclusion by initiating people to use the Internet who would not be doing it normally.

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LATVIA@WORLD necessities

1. ICT infrastructure2. Internet content, e-services3. PC and Internet usage skills4. Promotion of Information

Society

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Promotion of Internet content and e-servicesTypical e-services electronic banking, bill payments electronic communications (e-mail, chat rooms, IP telephony) Internet browsing for acquisition of information public information portals (news, public data base inquiries) entertainment, games, music e-government services (municipal, national) tourism offers and reservations (transportation, lodgings,

attractions) e-health services (medical appointments, diagnostics) e-commerce e-culture (encyclopaedias, museums, theatres, language skills) distance learning e-democracy (referenda, elections, opinion polls, public

discussions)

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Advantages to the European Union

Objectives of the project coincide with eEurope 2005

Furthers the integration of the population into the EU

Speeds up regional development towards attaining the average EU level

Makes the products and services of businesses of EU member states more accessible in Latvia

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Advantages to public domain partners (state and municipalities)

Objectives of the project coincide with the priorities of the National development plan – promoting the Information society

Ensures wider use of e-government services

Assists in the development of favourable environment for regional business activities

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Advantages to business partners of L@W

Favourable publicity and public relations Advertising for their services Increased number of users for electronic

services Business process automation Improved quality of services

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Potential sources of financing

for upgrading and expanding the ICT infrastructure for setting up and implementing the training process for preparing funding applications

Investments by the Latvian government (ISB, Ministry of

Education, Ministry of Culture), within the framework of the existing ICT project financing

Investments by the municipalities (e-government projects in Riga, Ventspils, Liepaja…)

Participation by national and international corporations EU social funds, EU Programmes (IST, eTEN, eLearning, etc.)

L@W is designed as a PPP project

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Thank you for your attention!

www.litta.lv