ANALYTICAL NOTE: DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR STRENGHTENING THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE DIASPORA IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOV

Author: Victor Guzun

INTRODUCTION

On September 6, 2023, the Government of the Republic of Moldova adopted the Digital Transformation Strategy for the years 2023-2030, which outlines the authorities’ vision for developing a modern digital society in all dimensions. The strategy has six major objectives, with the essence being its inclusive nature, which does not exclude any domain and ensures that every citizen benefits from its provisions, regardless of their location.

The document states that the Republic of Moldova will become a highly digitalized state, supported by a robust and competitive information and communications technology sector, with an innovative and resilient digital economy. According to the authorities, by 2024, the aim is to digitalize 75% of public services, and by 2030, all public services in the Republic of Moldova.

Based on the essence of the Strategy, every citizen of the Republic of Moldova, regardless of their geographical location, will be able to access public services with the help of available digital solutions, online, without needing to visit the offices of the institutions providing these services. For members of the diaspora, it will no longer be necessary to present themselves at the premises of diplomatic or consular missions of the Republic of Moldova, which serve as intermediaries between national public institutions and Moldovan citizens abroad. From this perspective, the development of functional digital solutions can be a fundamental step in streamlining the provision of public services for members of the diaspora, both from the perspective of reducing the time required to obtain them and the costs of providing these services.

Thus, the diaspora can become much more connected to the public service system of the Republic of Moldova in a simple, fast, and advantageous way. Digital solutions have the potential to become the most important instrument for interaction between citizens of the Republic of Moldova residing outside the country and central and local public authorities.