Estonia introduces vision to create smart connectivity area from Tallinn to Split

Estonia will present the vision of Smart Connectivity within the framework of the Three Seas Initiative today. The overall vision of Smart Connectivity, led by the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, is to expand digital components across key infrastructure, which will in turn support new business models, technologies and innovation-based economic growth in countries extending from Estonia to Croatia.

“Today, Eastern and Central Europe are facing a series of interconnected challenges related to increasing the region’s competitiveness and reducing its environmental impact. Digitization is one of the main tools that will help make our transport and energy infrastructure more efficient and thus move also closer to our climate goals,” said Estonian CIO Siim Sikkut.

According to Sikkut, in today's world, there is a huge competitive advantage for those who are able to set common standards and create the necessary digital enablers in their field or region, which enable cross-border services and new business models. "The future infrastructure is no longer conceivable without a digital dimension - the more successful are the ones who can create the most favorable environment for digital services. We need to focus more on open data exchange and use of collected data, cyber security and digital identities and therefore build interconnected cross-border infrastructure for digital solutions."

The CIO emphasized that the implementation of the vision of Smart Connectivity starts already with planning the investments for infrastructure. "The timely introduction of digital solutions could be what distinguishes the Three Seas (3S) region in the world. The 3S region could be a global hotspot for smart mobility and energy innovation, developing and selling solutions around the globe. The Estonian high-level technology sector can make a significant contribution to this," Sikkut concluded.

(WBJ)