This week, I met Jüri Jõema, the CEO of the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITL), which is the umbrella association for ICT companies in Estonia. We had a good chat about the Digital Agenda 2020, German ambassadors, and the danger of Orwell's "1984" becoming reality. 

INTERVIEW

Good morning Mr. Jõema, thank you for taking the time to meet me. Today I would like to talk a bit about your lobbyism organisation and its functions in e-Estonia. Could you start by explaining the main idea behind ITL?

We started in 1993 already. There were quite a few tech companies around and we thought that it would make sense to concentrate our efforts within one organisation. Our main activity area is, of course, connected with ICT (editor’s note: ICT = Information and Communications Technology). We are analysing almost all the drafts of legal acts in telecommunications and IT/ICT.

How can you become a member?

We are a quite open and voluntary organisation; to date, we have 85 members. We cover almost 70 per cent of the Estonian ICT market and half of the working force in IT. Our organisation is open for companies that really understand that lobbyism is important and that share the same values. It’s not like in Germany or Austria, where companies are obliged to be members of an association. Most of the ICT companies in Estonia are rather small; there are about 3,000 ICT companies in Estonia. 

Do you also cover startups?

No, because their business is not in a place yet where they would want to influence policy-making. Plus, startups have their own organisations representing them, like Startup Estonia, for example. For the bigger companies, in contrast, joining ITL is almost the one and only alternative (laughs).

What do you think your members appreciate most about your organisation?

We actually conducted a small study about our members recently. The good environment to make business was the main selling point for most. ITL shows them what kind of collaborations between companies are possible. One of our tasks, also with regard to the Digital Agenda 2020, I believe, is to prepare our members to do business in new circumstances.

You said that you are a voluntary organisation. Where do you get your revenue from?

Solely from membership fees. And projects, of course.

So you are not financially supported by the state?

No, we are independent. Well, the projects bring some money from the state, but all in all, we are trying to be independent from the government. Because, at the end of the day, you cannot do proper lobbyism if you are funded by the state.

I have seen a lot of tech companies in Ülemiste City.

In Soviet times, this area used to be a military factory. More than ten years ago, private companies took over this area, and made it what it is now: an Estonian “Silicon Valley.” So essentially, the biggest Estonian IT companies are in this area.

The e-Estonia showroom is also located here. How did it come to life?


It was established by private companies, but then they decided to give it to Enterprise Estonia, because it works better this way. They are better “equipped,” so to speak, to tell the story of e-Estonia.

Do you have any projects with Enterprise Estonia?


We don’t have direct projects with them; they simply finance us in some projects. I think one or two are financed by Enterprise Estonia.

You mentioned that ITL promotes the Digital Agenda 2020. What would you say is your role in that matter?

In 2013, when the government published its strategy of what it wants to achieve by 2020, we realised that companies have very similar interests. Companies, in a way, had a vision of what society should look like. The roadmap basically includes four main lines here: the development of digital society, the involvement of working force, the development of the ICT sector itself, and the digitalisation of industry. I think the progress we have made so far is quite good; maybe not all the goals have been realised yet, but we feel that the overall direction is right. In May this year, therefore, we – and the government too – decided that we should make a plan for 2030 as well. This makes it easier to plan ahead.

You mentioned that there is still some progress to be made. Where do you think you still lag behind?

At the end of the day, we do not determine the progress ourselves; multiple factors play a role here, I think. The main problem of Estonia is the digitalisation of industry. While Estonia ranks first when it comes to e-Government, it ranks 22nd when it comes to digital industries. Our association works together with other industries that understand that this is a real problem. We are also carrying out a lot of lobbying activities on this issue. For instance, we organised a conference called “Manufuture,” together with the Tallinn University of Technology (TTÜ), taking place from 24 to 25 October.

Can you elaborate a bit on this conference?


Manufuture is a European conference taking place every second year in a different city. At first, the conference was supposed to take place in the UK. After Brexit, however, the EU took that decision back. Also, the Estonian Council Presidency helped bring this conference to Tallinn. So the part that is organised by ITL focuses on Industry 4.0.

The German embassy helped organise Manufuture. How did this collaboration happen?

It was the German ambassador who approached us and started a cooperation. He is very much interested in issues of digitalisation. In general, the German embassy has been very active in their efforts trying to make this event a success.

Do you have a project team that is organising Manufuture?

There is a project team in TTÜ, which also receives support from the European Commission. ITL, in that sense, operates more in the background.

Do you feel that this year’s Council Presidency (click here to read more about it) brought you more tasks and responsibilities?

ITL is certainly trying to give its input in some cases; we are participating in events or offering our expertise, for example. It is more the government’s business, however, to really shape this Presidency. Our role is to provide connections: we know the people. That’s it.

Which ministry are you trying to influence the most?


It really depends, but mostly the ministry of economic affairs as well as the ministry of education.

Do you think Estonia’s small size facilitates lobbying?

Yes, certainly. It is very easy to make connections and to get to know people fast.

Many legislative acts are not implemented on the national but on the European level. How do you make sure that you are not missing out on important developments taking place in Brussels?

We are member of DIGITALEUROPE, the umbrella association in Brussels. We get a lot of information from there and, at the same time, are trying to use them to influence the Commission; which isn't always easy, as you may know (laughs). But they have excellent connections and a good network. DIGITALEUROPE is important to us, because, ultimately, European legislation will become Estonian legislation. And it is better to influence legislation at an early stage. Otherwise you won’t be able to have your voice heard.

Imagine you could only reach one aim until 2020. What would it be?

That digitalisation really generates economic growth for every industry, including the tech industry.

Speaking of which, how do achieve your goals?

We have working groups. So people from different companies come together and attempt to synthesise solutions.

Do you think there is a risk of technology getting out of hand – sort of as an Utopian reality after George Orwell?

You have to keep in mind that digitalisation is not a force of nature. After all, human beings decide how far it should reach. The idea of technology having a life of its own is a myth.

I think this sums it up very well. Thank you for this interview and all the best for the future!