TRADE | TOURISM | TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2021
INTERVIEW
MILOŠ CVETANOVIĆ, STATE SECRETARY IN THE MINISTRY OF TRADE, TOURISM AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Digital Transformation
MUST BE INCLUSIVE In order for a society to progress through the process of digitalising all of its segments, it is necessary to build trust, influence the raising of levels of knowhow, and create safe surroundings that have a stimulating influence on citizens in particular, in order for them to recognise the benefits of digitalisation and services that are provided electronically. participants in these processes, which are primarily the public sector, the private sector and citizens. Bearing in mind that this is one comprehensive area, it is also necessary to emphasise that the Government has already adopted strategies to govern specific individual areas that are an integral part
Use of the internet, computers, broadband internet connections, mobile phones and internetbased trade are increasing constantly in Serbia
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igitalisation implies the establishing of a system in which there must be a strong link between all stakeholders involved in that chain and which must be based on three key factors: trust, knowledge and security. The digitalisation process has begun and is certainly unstoppable, although a need for consolidation of all processes that take place is evident, at least when it comes to the public sector, and therefore the Strategy, defining the development of the information society and information security that’s been prepared by the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, addresses this topic in a comprehensive way, by recognising the 16
of digitalisation, and with which the directions of the development of digital skills are defined, then Artificial Intelligence is recognized with its potential to improve the quality of life of every individual and society as a whole, and finally Smart Specialisations are defined with an aim to increase the competitiveness of the economy, economic growth and society’s progress via the connecting of research, industrial and innovation forces and resources, as well as enabling the domestic economy to more effectively utilise its potential and better position itself on global markets. When it comes to the current situation and the use of information and communication technologies in the Republic of Serbia, it can be concluded that all trends related to the use of the internet, computers, broadband internet connec-
tions, mobile phones and internet-based trade are increasing constantly, while the most common categories of people that least use these technologies are older citizens and they are used the least in rural areas. It can also be stated that the ICT sector is experiencing constant growth and recording advances every year when it comes to employment, earnings, foreign trade exchanges and exports of computer services. One topic that permeates all these areas to a great extent is information security and the protection of information systems, which are important from the point of view of national security, but also for the economy and citizens. The main holders of activities in the field of information security are the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications and the National CERT, which implement activities aimed at preventing and protecting against security risks in ICT systems in the Republic of Serbia. In order to further develop the information society, it is necessary to continue improving the digital knowhow and skills of all citizens, building capacities to use new technologies among employees in both the public and private sectors, as well as improving digital infrastructure in educational institutions. Moreover, it is essential to continue and intensify activities on the digitalisation of services and operations in the public and private sectors, and it is very important to improve information security alongside all of that.
