Preparing for ”Knowledge Economy Phase”

1. Preparing for ”Knowledge Economy Phase” Private/public cooperation in supporting Information Society and Knowledge Economy developments Antanas ZABULIS President and CEO Omnitel (Lithuania)

2. (prie technologijų lyderės) Neretai “” Lietuvoje įdiegia technologijas anksčiau nei jos pristatomos kitose pasaulio šalyse arba pristato kartu su pasaulio operatoriais. (prie paslaugų lyderės) Bendrovei svarbu, kad naujausios technologijos duotų labai realią naudą Lietuvos gyventojams, todėl daug jėgų ir darbo spektrą. (prie investicijų) Šiandien bendrovė yra vienas svarbiausių valstybės ūkio subjektų. Viena didžiausių ir kaip investuotoja, ir kaip mokesčių mokėtoja. Įtakingiausia formuojant Lietuvos ir Baltijos šalių telekomunikacijų rinkas. šiandien lenkia visas Lietuvos, Latvijos ir Estijos mobiliųjų telekomunikacijų bendroves. Šiandien “Omnitel” yra nebepralenkiama šalies mobiliųjų telekomunikacijų srities lyderė. Lithuania already made two major steps towards Euroatlantic Community - 1990 Regaining Independence, international recognition of the State, establishment of state institutions, creation of national legal system and consolidation of Democracy. 1990-2002 Creating functioning Market Economy and euroatlantic (EU and NATO) integration efforts. Attractive Investment climate, current economy development as well as its strong growth potential gained international recognition by various international business and financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs recommendations to invest in Lithuania.

4. Today is time to prepare for Tomorrow Challenges Today is the time not to rest with the achieved, but to concentrate towards future developments and look forward towards future challenges.

5. Convergence phases Consolidation of Market Economy, candidate into EU and NATO EU post accession period Knowledge Economy phase Regaining Independence, establishing Democracy 1990 2002 –200? 2010

6. What is perspective of Lithuania Economy during EU post-accession Period?

7. Lithuania on the Crossroad - between Nordic, Central and Eastern Europe

8. Perfect starting positions • Domestic development processes favorable for the investments: • Stable prices and low interest rates create necessary financial environment for business development; • Stable monetary politics, proved by the fluent process, when Litas was unpegged from USD and pegged to EURO – essential condition of foreign investment growth; • Totally privatized and run almost by Western banks banking sector; • Rapidly growing industry and export; • Increasing investments of industrial and service enterprises to ITT, advanced business management methods; • Continuously increasing consumption potential; • Rapidly developing sectors of telecommunications and information technologies. • The best infrastructure of telecommunications and roads in the region.

9. Development of GDP per capita projected on the basis of 2001: EU vs. Lithuania

10. The presumable framework of the more rapid GDP growth during post-accession period, providing current positions and potential of Lithuanian economy

11. We believe that Lithuania will also succeed in challenges of post-accession period WHAT ELSE?

12. In 8-10 years of extensive development, the further opportunities of extensive growth will be exhausted

13. In approx. 2010 – 2015 the opportunities of extensive development will be exhausted. Therefore it is critical to base the development of economy branches on modern technologies by 2010, which will allow to switch from extensive economy development to intensive.

14. In case Lithuania will be ready for Knowledge Economy Phase and have innovative economy branches developed

15. The further GDP growth will be ensured

16. NATIONALLY ACCEPTED FUTURE VISION OF THE COUNTRY To ensure consequent growth of country’s economy and convergence, the vision of further development of the economy was formed. It was accepted by all main political powers, business community and the society. The vision will make the basis for continuous and forbearing work of all social powers. Vision of Lithuania beyond EU post-accession period: well developed Knowledge Economy and Information Society

17. Source of KE potential - Strong Study and Research infrastructure Šiauliai University Klaipėda University KAUNAS University of Technology University of Agriculture of Lithuania Vytautas Magnus University Kaunas University of Medicine Academy of Physical Education Lithuanian Veterinary Academy Lithuanian Energy Institute VILNIUS Vilnius University Gediminas Technical UniversityVilnius University of Pedagogic Law University of Lithuania Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts Academia Musicalis Lituaniae Lithuanian Military Academy

18. ITT sector is booming • In 2001 Lithuanian IT market increased more that 30% • 2002 1Q sales grow 23% compared to 11% in 1Q of 2001 • Cellular penetration to overcome the density of fixed lines in 2002 • 2001 50% increase in PC sales compared to 2000 • Internet penetration grew 5.1% during last 6 months • Internet Banking grew 300% during last 6 months • In 2001 Omnitel increased its customer base by 73%, turnover 43% and became biggest mobile telecommunication company in Baltic States

21. We cannot just wait for the year 2015 The furthergrowthcouldonly be ensuredbybasis of innovative economybranchesduring EU post-accession period

22. Preparation for Knowledge Economy Phase

23. It is only coordinated efforts ofGovernment and Business will create a synergy effect, which will help to transform the VisionintoReality

24. Private/Public Initiatives • Knowledge Council lead by President of the Republic of Lithuania • Council consists of top level governmental and private business executives dedicated to set-up of strategic priorities developing knowledge economy and society • Knowledge Economy Forum • Association, creating and promoting knowledge economy development strategies, consist of 40 leading innovative private enterprises representing IT, biotechnologies, leaser technologies, and telecommunications • Development of Long-Term Strategy for Lithuanian Economic Development in 2001-2015 • Strategy was developed by leading experts from public and private sector and went via electronic community consultation by internet. Industry development strategy include target to achieve 25% of GDP generated by ‘knowledge rich’ industries by 2015.

25. Private/Public Initiatives • “Window to the Future” initiative • Alliance of biggest private enterprises of Telecommunications, Banking and IT sector, aiming to stimulate development of Information Society and force Internet penetration growth in the country • Development of National Agreement on Economic Development • Memorandum of understanding was signed by all major political parties and leading business associations

26. KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY and INFORMATION SOCIETY development are top priorities in current private/public cooperation activities in Lithuania

27. Knowledge Economy Forum Association of more than 40 leading IT, Biotechnology, Leaser technology, and Telecommunication companies. Promoting knowledge economy development strategies

31. WINDOW TO THE FUTURE INFORMATION SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Alliance, joining leading ITT companies and Banks

32. WINDOW • TO THE FUTURE GOAL • Achieve average Internet penetration of the European Union in LithuaniaWithin three years

33. WINDOW • TO THE FUTURE FIELDS OF ACTIVITY ACCESSAccess to the Internet for broadest levels of the society TRAINING Training of the society in using computers and the Internet E-SERVICES Development of the electronic content and services relevant to the society

34. FIRST 2002 Project Public Access Internet Centers 65 centers in 45 different cities and regions, covering all Lithuania this year

35. CONCLUSION Strategic shift in understanding of countries development future happened in the minds of political and business establishment. Lithuania is going via strategic planning phase towards everyday developments and investments into next decade future of the Country.

36. THANK YOU! a.zabulis@omnitel.net d.maikstenas@omnitel.net For this presentation visit : www.omnitel.lt