Update November 2000: Lithuania

The changes in the list of Lithuania’s IS key persons and organisations were minimal during the last three months. The most important changes are foreseen in Q4. On October 8^th the Lithuania Seimas (Parliament) will meet and form a new Government after the elections. Appointments of the Chairman and members of NRA (National Regulatory Authority), splitting of Ministries and reorganisation of Lietuvos Energija (Lithuania Power) are foreseen in Q4.

1. Government activities and establishments

In the year 2000, the Lithuanian President, Government and Seimas are demonstrating understanding of the importance of IS development. During first quarter of 2000 the Lithuanian President initiated the Lithuania’s Schools Computerisation Project. The Government supported the computerisation of Lithuania’s schools and started some new initiatives and IS projects. Lithuania’s Government Seimas and the President office used widely computer networks for inter exchange of documents and drafts of new acts.

Two groups, related to IS development, were established. The members of groups are leaders of Information Technologies departments in Ministries, IS experts and representatives from the business sector. The e-Vyriausybe working group was established to prepare proposals for the Government on the concept of e-Vyriausybe, and on developing ways of easy and fast access to Government Information sources. In September the group will present the action plan and a list of Government services accessible via Internet. The head of the e-Vyriausybe working group is Mr Jonas Milerius, head of Seimas Information Technologies Department.

The main goal of the second temporary-working group is to promote and support development of e-business. The group aimed to prepare proposals for the Government to overcome the barriers and promote fast development of e-business. The head of this group is Mr Edmundas Zvirblis, vice-minister of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities.

Lithuania’s Government is planning in Q4 to split the Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The reform is very important for IS development, since the Department of Information and Informatics under the Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities is one of IS development co-ordinating bodies.

On the 8^th October, the Lithuania Seimas elections will take place in Vilnius. 141 new members of Seimas will be elected in one round voting. After the elections the new Seimas will propose a Prime Minister candidate to the Lithuanian President for appointment on a position of the head of Government. The new Government will be formed in November.

2. Telecommunication sector

Lietuvos Telekomas shareholders elected the new Council in the middle of 2000. The head of the Council is Mr G.Zintelis, which was reelected in this position.

TeleDenmark, the owner of 100% shares of the mobile Communications Company Bite GSM, relieve Mr G.Pangonis of General Director post. The temporary Managing Director Mr Alex Wurtz will be in the position of General Director Bite GSM.

3. IT companies

USA’s company ASHBURN International (AI) invested about 1,1 MEUR (4 MLt) in the establishment of an Electronic Payments Centre. The company expects high enthusiasm from the electronic and mobile commerce market and plans to invest about 6 MEUR (20 MLt) in this business. The clients from Lithuania and Central and Eastern Europe countries will carry out banking operations via Internet, mobile phones or special information boards. Mr Marius Musteika is the General Director of Lithuania’s ASHBURN International company. The new centre will promote the development of e-commerce and mobile business in Lithuania. The users of the AI Payment Centre will be financial institutions, GSM and Internet providers, and major trade companies.