A new round of public consultations on the draft Strategy for Digital Transformation of the Republic of Moldova (STDRM) took place today, 16 January 2023, in a hybrid format, and brought together over 60 individuals and legal entities, representing various companies, associations, public and private institutions, deputies, entrepreneurs, external partners and groups interested in the Government's vision for the next 7 years in this field.

The strategic vision underpinning the document discussed today is an innovative and inclusive digital society with a modern infrastructure, digitally educated people, a pro-digital government and a business community that makes the most of digital opportunities, thus becoming a friendly environment for promoting innovation and ensuring sustainable human development. The Strategy is based on several key objectives relating to: digital society; competitive ICT environment; resilient digital economy; digital state; secure digital environment for all; advanced digital nation.

Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization, Iurie Turcanu, who moderated the round of public consultations, said: “This strategy is a comprehensive and broad people-oriented document that promotes a homogeneous and inclusive digital society built on fundamental European values. It is important to invest all our efforts so that we do not leave any area not covered with digital tools. The strategy targets key sectors such as: health, education, agriculture, economy, entrepreneurship, public administration, cybersecurity, etc.”

The draft STDRM was prepared in line with the EU standards and regulations, as well as the world best practices, by a team of international experts (including experts from Estonia and South Korea – world champions in digitalization), led by Vlad Manoil, e-Governance Expert, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Moldova and in close cooperation with local specialists and exponents from various fields, who contributed with proposals and expertise to its completion at numerous working meetings prior to public consultations.

The participants in the consultations were actively involved in discussions, came up with appreciations, proposals and suggestions for improving the draft STDRM and showed a high interest in strengthening the efforts to achieve digital transformation in all areas that require modernization and technological development in the spirit of innovation and world technological progress and which, according to those present, cannot be achieved through governmental effort only, but also through the joint efforts of the private and voluntary sectors.