Modernization of government discussed

  • 2013-07-24
  • From wire report

DIGITIZED: Evaldas Gustas says modernizing public administration can contribute to developing a more competitive economy.

VILNIUS - An informal meeting of ministers of the EU Competitiveness Council (Internal Market and Industry) was scheduled to be held in Vilnius from July 22-23, reports ELTA. The EU Internal Market and Industry ministers were meeting to discuss the modernization of the public administration, the efficiency of state-owned enterprises and the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises.

The meeting is to be chaired by the Minister of Economy of Lithuania Evaldas Gustas. The European Commission was to be represented by the Vice-President and Commissioner in charge of Industry and Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani, and Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier.
“The main topic of the informal meeting is the modernization of the public administration. It is important to underline that modernization of public administration is a tool to foster competitiveness in Europe. That’s why the ministers will focus on this topic in the meeting,” said Gustas.

According to Minister Gustas, during the plenary session the presentations were to be held on the modernization and digitalizing of public administration, how efficient state-owned enterprises can contribute to growth and competitiveness, and how public administration could be more responsive to the needs of SMEs.
During the break-out session the ministers were to have discussions in three workshops. The first group to discuss the transparency and accountability of state-owned enterprises.
The second group to discuss smart-procurement, which is part of a modern and efficient public administration. Therefore, the emphasis is on the importance of the transition to a fully electronic procurement and e-invoicing in the public procurement.

“We need to rationalize public expenditure, simplify public procurement, improve business conditions, especially for SMEs, facilitate cross-border procurement, to ensure the efficiency of public administration in Europe,” said Gustas.
The third group of ministers was to discuss the measures to ensure that SMEs remain high on the political agenda, the application of the ‘Think Small First’ Principle. This implies, in practice, that SMEs’ needs should be taken into account when designing legislation, administrative rules and procedures to make them simple and user-friendly.
During the working lunch ministers were to discuss entrepreneurship among women as an unexploited source of economic growth and new jobs. The ministers were also to share their views how member states could contribute to promotion of women’s entrepreneurship.

On July 23-24 the ministers of education were to continue the Competitiveness Council discussions in the area of research and innovation. This part of the meeting was to be chaired by the Minister of Education Dainius Pavalkis, and the EU was to be represented by European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Maire Geoghegan-Quinn.