Prospects of the ICT sector in Greece

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Study of the ICT sector in Greece: Current Situation and Future Trends Deliverable 14: Prospects of the ICT sector in Greece-policy implications resources is maximized, while new growth possibilities arise, improving gradually the quality of life of the citizens. However, the exceptionally innovative, complex and inter-sectoral character of the Programme created increased obligations throughout its implementation. Its successful implementation required the participation not only of many public and private institutions, but also the research society and academia. Nevertheless, the structural weaknesses of government mechanisms and public services to implement the political directions, the legislative difficulties, and bureaucracy had as a result a low use of the Operational Programmes financial resources. Although, low performance on absorbing the community financial aid is not an exclusively Greek phenomenon, neither the intensity and extent nor the time of occurrence and persistence of these difficulties were as significant as in Greece. However, apart the aforementioned weaknesses, the implementation of the Programme has yielded certain tangible results so far. The progress in Education, is significant while important training courses and policy measure were implemented at all levels. In the field of reforming the Public Sector, some significant actions have taken place, such as the creation of Citizen Service Centres (KEP) and the development of taxisnet. These actions contributed to an increase of the electronic services provided to citizens and firms, leading to an improvement of citizens’ everyday life. Regarding the diffusion of new technologies to firms, subsidizing equipment had some positive results in encouraging the adoption of ICTs- especially by SMEs- at various levels: first, at the stage of connectivity (connection and familiarization with the internet as a business tool), and second in various stages of the process of e-business (e-commerce, adoption of integrated information systems managing operational resources, internal management and business administration, etc.). An adequate number of firms were benefited by these subsidies, as it is mirrored on the improvement of the relative indexes of e-business watch. Apart from actions that involve a direct aid to the SMEs, the Programme includes other actions as well, that indirectly contribute to this goal. Promotion of electronic commerce projects in the local societies mediated by chambers, e-procurement, and the promotion of entrepreneurship in new economy sectors (TANEO) are some initiatives that facilitate this process and contribute to the familiarization of entrepreneurs with ICTs 8 . 8 Apart from the OPIS, other programs also influence supply and demand of ICTs, as synergies between them are evident. Indicatively, EPAN has financed actions aiming at the reinforcement of firms’ competitiveness, subsidizing both tangible (e.g. integrated systems of information technology, development of B2B or B2C, ERP, etc.) and intangible investments (e.g. electronic networking of October 2006 Observatory for the Greek IS 18
Study of the ICT sector in Greece: Current Situation and Future Trends Deliverable 14: Prospects of the ICT sector in Greece-policy implications Significant delays occurred in the area of broadband investments in infrastructure. Broadband constitutes a basic precondition for the convergence of the Greek economy to the respective European ones. This is because large-scale projects, such as Sizefxis, that support the development of back office infrastructures in the Public Administration, the interconnection of its services, and the availability of broadband services at a reasonable price constitute strategic directions of the Community’s policies (e-Europe 2005, i-2010). In the context of promoting the relevant projects and a more aggressive promotion of broadband, the actions of new “Plan for the growth of broadband” are incorporated. These actions aim at the development of infrastructures, services, and boosting demand for such services. It is a very ambitious strategic plan, whose implementation will have positive impacts in the ICT sector. We could identify the actual contribution of OPIS in the growth of the domestic ICT at three dimensions: First, the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects and subsidy of private investments on ICTs form a direct support of the primary demand. However, this dimension is rather myopic, although this does not mean, that all available funds should not be used. Indeed, the financial contribution to the ICTs’ turnover is negligible, considering an extended period of implementation (2000-2008). On the contrary, the multiplicative benefits for the ICTs sector via training/ advising that support the familiarization of the citizens with new technologies constitute a much more significant dimension. In this way, potential new clients of ICTs are created, offering longer-term benefits to the sector and reinforcing the secondary demand, which is the most significant. On the other hand the Programme facilitated the growth of the domestic ICTs sector, as the implementation of complex ICT projects provided know-how and experience gains. These projects constitute area of expertise and specialization for domestic firms and innovative know-how, which can constitute a strategic competitive advantage for the domestic sector. enterprises, participation to e-marketplaces) of technological and organizational modernization of enterprises. October 2006 Observatory for the Greek IS 19
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