Romania Digitala 2030: The ANIS manifesto proposes seven strategic directions for revolutionizing the economy through technology

ANIS (Employers’ Association of the Software and Services Industry) launches “Romania Digitala 2030“, a manifesto of the IT industry calling for a coordinated national effort to support digitization as a strategic priority, essential for the country’s future.

Romania Digitala 2030 positions the IT&C sector at the center of the evolution of the economy and society and proposes a comprehensive vision for digital transformation, aiming to position Romania as a key player in technology, research and development (R&D) and innovation.

This vision is based on the strategic role of the IT sector in stimulating competitiveness and on the potential of the IT industry in Romania to mature and evolve towards a new level of development, through the transition to productive innovation and the generation of added value. Recent years have shown that technology is vital to the functioning of economies and societies.

The huge funds allocated through NextGenerationEU, 250 billion euros for digitization, and initiatives such as the Digital Compass create a favorable context for European Union countries to accelerate digital development. Mario Draghi’s recent report highlights the need to close critical technology gaps and step up investment in innovation, essential to keep Europe competitive. Romania aligns itself with these directions, but faces significant challenges: the limited coverage of the 5G network, the low digital skills of the population and the low level of digitization of SMEs.

“Digitalization is our opportunity to catch up and build a modern and future-oriented economy. ANIS’ vision is clear: digital transformation and locally developed intellectual property are the key through which Romania can become a technological hub of innovation and research, with a major impact on competitiveness at the European level,” emphasizes Edward Crețescu, President of ANIS.

Seven strategic directions for a future D.I.G.I.T.A.L

The ANIS manifesto proposes recommendations on three main pillars – the development of the IT industry, digital transformation and digital society – and identifies seven essential directions to position Romania as a digital leader in the region and to accelerate the transition to an economy based on technology and innovation:

D – Digitization and Development

The first step towards a digital future is the massive adoption of technology in all sectors of the economy, in the public and private sectors. The digital economy already represents 15% of global GDP and continues to grow rapidly. Romania must implement a “digital-first” policy, the integration of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), thus ensuring a more efficient and productive economy.

I – Innovation

Romania must become a regional center for research, development and innovation. ANIS proposes an integrated package of public policies to encourage innovation that includes, among other things, tax incentives for R&D, the development of an IP/Patent Box regime and the creation of experimental spaces for testing technologies (“regulatory sandboxes”). These measures will support the transformation of the IT sector from a service provider to a product and intellectual property developer, thereby contributing to the maturation of the industry and the creation of a national innovation ecosystem.

G – Governance

The success of digitization depends on strong and coherent governance. ANIS recommends the designation of a single point of coordination at the national level and the allocation of a deputy prime minister’s portfolio responsible for digitization in the future executive, along with a dedicated financial envelope for digitization projects, on the PNRR model. Thus, the unitary and coherent implementation of digital transformation and alignment with European and national objectives will be ensured, avoiding fragmentation and delays.

I – Internationalization

ANIS proposes concrete measures to facilitate the access of Romanian companies to international markets, through mixed venture capital funds and logistical and financial support programs. Romania can become a top exporter of technological solutions, thus contributing to balancing the trade balance and strengthening its economic position on the global stage.

T – Talent

Although Romania has exceptional technical talent, the labor market suffers from an annual deficit of 10,000-20,000 IT specialists. Romania must invest in education and continuous training to satisfy not only the growing demand of the IT industry, but also the need for specialized human resources for the implementation of national digital transformation projects. ANIS emphasizes the importance of developing a flexible educational system, adapted to the needs of the market, which supports professional conversion and encourages the development of local talent.

A – Basic Digital Skills

For an inclusive digital transition, all citizens must have the basic digital skills needed to navigate the digital world. ANIS proposes the implementation of national digital literacy programs and the articulation of lifelong learning policies that integrate digital skills. Investing in digital education is undoubtedly an investment in the country’s future, ensuring everyone has access to the benefits of technology.

L – Digital Leadership

Romania has the unique opportunity to become a regional leader in digital transformation. By aligning with the European strategy for economic security, ANIS sees a future in which Romania not only adopts modern technologies, but also creates and exports them, becoming an important player on the global digital market.

Romania Digitala 2030 emphasizes the importance of collaboration between authorities, the private sector and civil society to support an inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.

“The manifesto is more than a vision – it is an ambitious but achievable action plan that requires commitment from all levels of society. Romania has the chance to capitalize on its digital potential, and ANIS outlines the necessary roadmap to inspire public policies and actions in a common direction. We invite political parties and candidates in the electoral race to analyze the adoption of these measures in the programs of government, to commit to making digital transformation a strategic priority for the benefit of the entire economy and society, and to collaborate with the private sector to transform Romania into a leader in innovation and technology. The Romanian IT industry contributes to directly by almost 9% to GDP, the transformation of the national economy through the prism of the technology industry being obvious”, concludes Edward Creţescu.

ANIS recommendations and the full document: https://anis.ro/wp-content/uploads/ANIS-Manifesto-2030-compressed.pdf.