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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Digitalisation chance for economic advancement of small countries

Belgrade/Berlin, 13 November 2018

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said today in Berlin that digitisation is a key priority of the government of Serbia, highlighting the importance of education reform that will prepare children for future jobs.

In a panel discussion on "Digital Europe – Three Countries and Their Vision" organised by the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung, Brnabic pointed out that the digitisation of smaller countries, such as Serbia, which were not among the winners of the third industrial revolution, provides a chance to fight to be in the ranks of the winners of the Fourth Revolution.

The panel's moderator, editor-in-chief of Süddeutsche Zeitung Wolfgang Krach, announced Ana Brnabic as the first woman prime minister in Serbia, who is not a member of any party and whose government focuses on digitisation and education, guided by the goal of EU membership.

Digitisation is the key priority of the government I am leading. We live in the time of the fourth industrial revolution, and countries like Serbia have the chance to join you, who are the winners of the Third Revolution, connect, contribute to a better life of citizens, Brnabic said.

She pointed out that digitisation could be an advantage for smaller countries, thereby increasing the efficiency of public administration, developing education in order to achieve better results and progress as quickly as possible.

The Prime Minister underlined that "three Es”: e-government, e-education and economics are important for her, and gave the example of Estonia as one of the leaders in e-government, stressing that it is necessary for public administration to be transparent, cheaper and focused on citizens.

It is important that the economy is developing towards a knowledge-based economy and innovation, and that in the next period Serbia invests almost €100 million in infrastructure related to innovation, research and development, as well as the development of start-ups and scientific infrastructure.

The Prime Minister stressed that, when it comes to digitisation, this applies not only to technology, but also to creativity and innovation and creative industries.

She pointed out that creativity and innovation cannot be automated, as opposed to many other things in the fourth industrial revolution that can be automated.