Prime Minister Andrus Ansip met with the presidents of Chile and Argentina as part of the EU, Latin American and Caribbean summit held in the Chilean capital Santiago over the weekend to discuss partnership potential between the countries in the field of information technology, reported Goverment Communication Unit.
Argentinean president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner confirmed her interest in working with Estonia in developing the e-solutions of which Prime Minister Ansip had spoken during his Friday meeting in Buenos Aires with Argentinean Minister for Planning Julio de Vido.
Interest was also expressed in Estonia’s information and communications technology solutions by Chilean president Sebastián Piñera, which led to a meeting on Monday morning between Prime Minister Ansip and entrepreneurs from the Chilean field of technology. More than 20 ICT companies were represented at the meeting.
Prime Minister Ansip provided a comprehensive overview of e-solutions in Estonia, including e-banking, the e-Tax and Customs Board, e-schools, e-health care and e-voting. He said that there were many similarities between the business environments of Estonia and Chile, as well as between their ICT sectors, and that both sides were very interested in finding partners in the field.
“Estonia has earned itself a reputation as an e-nation thanks to the widespread use of our IT solutions in business, government and people’s everyday lives,” Ansip said. “Digital solutions are quick, easy and very convenient, and save people money, too.”
The prime minister added that the driving force behind the development of more and more IT solutions is the weight of social expectation. “Pressure from the public is the biggest factor,” he said. “People expect public services to be available online. Experience has shown that IT solutions make everyone’s lives a lot simpler.”
Ansip said that the rapid spread of e-services had given the IT sector in Estonia a massive shot in the arm, which is why local companies are now seeking new partners and new markets abroad. “We look forward to IT companies and entrepreneurs from your countries coming to Estonia so that we can launch innovative new projects together,” he said. “I really hope that at least some of you will be able to work with our companies. You’re eagerly awaited!”
Science, innovation and technology was likewise one of the key themes of the joint policy declaration made at the close of the EU, Latin America and Caribbean summit, which was the seventh to be held. The Santiago Declaration, as it has been called, reflects joint values and positions and provides a roadmap for future strategic partnerships between the countries involved.
During the summit Prime Minister Ansip extended his condolences to Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Patriota in regard to the tragic fire in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria in the early hours of Sunday morning.