The government has a broad educational programme to improve ICT skills on different levels eg schools, universities, and for the working force. There also work going on to support SMEs and consumers in their use of electronic commerce. Sweden welcomes the Commission's initiative eEurope in general. It is important to support the development of electronic commerce and secure communications. This is an area where the Member States can promote the development by working together in areas like standardisation and regulation.
Electronic procurement is also an important way to increase the use of electronic commerce.
It is an area where the state both can lead by example and make their own authorities more effective and less costly. The access to public information could be facilitated by governments going online. Sweden believes that Europe should aim for a technically neutral legal framework for secure electronic communication in order not to restrain new technical innovations. It is positive that the standardisation work is urged in order to find a system that works in all Member States. Sweden therefore welcomes initiatives regarding co-operation between Member States and non Member States.