Belarus has made significant strides in digital governance, especially with its high EGDI (e-Government Development Index) level. This success mainly comes from having strong human capital (HCI) and top-notch overall telecommunication infrastructure (TII).
However, in my opinion, there’s a need to pay more attention to enhancing online services and boosting e-participation. While Belarus scores impressively in the EGDI report, which measures overall e-government development, its e-participation values tell a different story.
The average here is quite low, standing at 0.4488. This indicates that despite the country’s solid foundation in human capital and digital infrastructure, there’s room for improvement when it comes to involving citizens in online services and government activities. As I’ve said it before, it’s not just about having the technology… it’s about ensuring that people can easily interact with government services online.
A short history of Belarusian digital development
I believe Belarus has an interesting digital development history. Back in the communist era, the Soviet Union designated Belarus as a key hub for the electronics industry.
When the Soviet Union dissolved, Belarus took advantage of new opportunities. In 1993, two Belarusian programmers founded EPAM Systems, which later became the biggest custom software developer in Central Europe and the first IT company from the region listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
In the early 2000s, the Lukashenka government initiated a Hi-Tech Park to boost digital businesses. Unlike typical technology parks, Belarus’ Hi-Tech Park is unique – it’s virtual, covering the entire country.
Businesses in the park enjoy special perks, like exemptions from profit tax and VAT, reduced income tax, and lower contributions to the Social Insurance Fund.
However, despite this focus on digital technology and the economy, a setback occurred when databases of the Belarus Ministry of Internal Affairs suddenly went offline, prompting many IT specialists to leave.
Neighbouring countries, especially Poland, took advantage of this situation.
For example, in September 2020, Poland launched the Poland Business Harbour (PBH) scheme, making it easier for Belarusian professionals to relocate.
I think this showcases how the digital landscape can influence not only economic opportunities but also the movement of skilled individuals across borders. And I believe that Belarus will soon suffer from a digital brain drain (if it hasn’t already).
Stronger points of digital government
Well, one of the strongest points of Belarus is connectivity. An impressive 85.09% of Belarusian individuals are connected to the internet, showcasing widespread digital access. The telecommunication infrastructure is top-notch, earning a Very High TII index value of 0.8426 in the EGDI report.
Moreover, when it comes to human capital, Belarus is doing well. The Human Capital Index has high values, specifically 0.9011, indicating a strong foundation of skills and knowledge.
It’s noteworthy that adult digital literacy levels are exceptionally high at 99.87%, underlining the country’s commitment to digital education and proficiency.
Looking ahead, I’ve learned that Belarus plans to establish a centre dedicated to implementing cybersecurity measures and responding to cyber incidents in 2024.
I think this is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and security of the digital environment. It reflects a proactive approach to address the challenges that come with increasing connectivity and technological advancements. Overall, these strengths position Belarus well in the digital landscape and show a commitment to both connectivity and cybersecurity.
Where to focus on the future?
I think when considering the future of Belarus’s digital development, two crucial areas that deserve attention are service provision and e-participation. As of now, Belarus holds a significant rank of 90 out of 193 countries globally in e-participation.
Firstly, focusing on service provision is essential. While Belarus has made strides in digital infrastructure and human capital, ensuring that online services are user-friendly and easily accessible is key.
Secondly, addressing the e-participation aspect is equally important. Ranking 90th globally indicates that there is potential for increased citizen involvement in decision-making processes through digital means. However, this may be a bit difficult to achieve since Belarus is an authoritarian state.
However, if Belarus wants to further strengthen its position in the global digital arena it needs to ensure that its technological advancements benefit all residents.
Sources:
https://www.gov.pl/web/poland-businessharbour-en
https://netherlands.mfa.gov.by/en/bilateral_relations/trade_economic/htp
