CEE Digital Coalition Report Launches at the Tallinn Digital Summit 2024: Key Insights and Future Outlook
The Tallinn Digital Summit is proud to host the launch of the CEE Digital Coalition Report, a comprehensive exploration of the digital economy, ICT sector, and cybersecurity landscape across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). This groundbreaking report provides valuable insights into the region’s progress, strengths, and the challenges that lie ahead as it continues its digital transformation journey.
The report presentation will feature Michal Kanownik, President of the Digital Poland Association and leader of the CEE Digital Coalition, who will discuss findings and key themes shaping CEE’s digital future. This presentation will offer a unique look into the region’s role within the broader European and global digital landscape.
Key Highlights from the CEE Digital Coalition Report
The CEE Digital Coalition Report uncovers both achievements and areas requiring attention, focusing on three core themes: Economic Potential, Regional Strengths, and Cybersecurity Priorities.
1. Economic Potential in the Digital Economy
CEE countries demonstrate substantial resilience and growth potential, with significant investments in Research and Development (R&D) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services. Despite global challenges, including recent economic and geopolitical crises, the digital economy in CEE has shown stability, expanding its contribution to GDP and creating new jobs across the region. Key findings include:
– ICT value added as a share of total GDP stands at 5.7% in CEE compared to 6.3% in Western Europe.
– Exports of commercial ICT services in CEE have increased more than six-fold from 2005 to 2021, reflecting the region’s growing role in international markets.
2. Regional Strengths and Growth Opportunities
In several key areas, the CEE region is already ahead of more developed EU economies, highlighting the potential for future growth and leadership in the ICT sector. The CEE region boasts higher ICT employment and enterprise density compared to Western Europe, indicating a strong foundation for digital innovation:
– ICT Employment: 4.8% of the workforce in CEE is engaged in the ICT sector, compared to 4.1% in Western Europe.
– ICT Enterprise Density: CEE has 4.35 ICT enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants, compared to just 2.13 in Western Europe.
While CEE has made significant strides, the report also notes that labour productivity remains lower than in Western Europe, with value added per employee in the ICT sector at EUR 45,351, compared to EUR 135,512 in Western Europe. Addressing this productivity gap is essential for CEE to remain competitive on the global stage.
3. Cybersecurity: A Top Priority for a Resilient Digital Future
As the CEE digital economy expands, cybersecurity becomes increasingly critical. Local decision-makers are placing a high priority on cybersecurity investments to safeguard economic stability and protect infrastructure. Key insights from the report reveal:
– Cybersecurity Concerns: Cybersecurity ranks as the fourth top concern for CEE CEOs, following inflation, geopolitical risks, and macroeconomic volatility. Globally, it ranks third.
– Capacity-Building: The demand for cybersecurity capacity-building in CEE is expected to increase significantly, driven by the need for solutions such as data authentication and intrusion detection.
– Local Solutions: To reduce dependency on external providers, governments across CEE are pushing for the development of local cybersecurity solutions.
The Path Forward: Insights from Michal Kanownik
As the CEE Digital Coalition leader, Michal Kanownik will discuss the steps needed to continue fostering a robust digital economy in CEE. His keynote will focus on strategies to build on current strengths, address productivity gaps, and position CEE as a leader in digital transformation and cybersecurity innovation. By enhancing local capacities and prioritizing cybersecurity, CEE can build a resilient digital economy that thrives in the face of future challenges.
The CEE Digital Coalition Report offers a roadmap for growth and resilience, emphasizing the need for continued investment, strategic innovation, and cybersecurity advancement. The Tallinn Digital Summit is excited to serve as a platform for this essential dialogue.