(Eagle News) – The Department of Finance said that digital firms from Estonia, a country in northern Europe, have expressed their interest to participate in the bidding for the Philippine national ID contract.
It was in the Baltic nation of Estonia where the electronic video communications tool Skype was developed.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said it was Estonia’s ambassador-designate to the Philippines Vaino Reinart who relayed to him their interest to help with the country’s proposed national ID during a recent meeting in Manila.
The Estonian ambassador was then accompanied by accompanied by Director Marki Tihhonova-Kreek of the Estonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of Estonian companies involved in developing Estonia’s electronic governance system.
“We are aware that the Philippines is about to implement the digital ID and provide their citizens with this,” Ambassador Reinart said. “It is indeed a good time to come here and demonstrate what you could possibly be able to implement provided the digital ID is properly secured in place.”
Dominguez, in turn, welcomed Estonia’s interest in the Philippines and invited Estonian companies to participate in the bidding for the national ID system contract.
“Our number one interest right now is the national ID, and we are going to be putting out the international tender docs pretty soon,” Dominguez said during the meeting.
“We would like to encourage you to look at us as potentially your demographic partners here. I think Filipinos around the world have a relatively good reputation,” Dominguez said to the visiting Estonian delegation.
Other Estonian officials and delegates during the meeting included Jana Silaskova of the Estonia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Madis Sassiad of GoSwift, Raul Kaidro of RaulWalters, Rein Haavel of Cybernetica, Dr. Aleksander Reitsakas of Aktors, and Linnea Parnaste-Virve of Ecomatic.
Cybernetica developed the secure software system of the Estonian government; Aktors specializes in e-governance, e-finance, defense and security; RaulWalters is behind the technical solutions for the Estonian e-ID; GoSwift deals with streamlining customs operations at the ports of entry; and Ecomatic is engaged in building management systems.
In Estonia, 99 percent of public services are available digitally, including the filing and payment of taxes.
Ambassador Reinart said the representatives of Estonian companies present at the meeting were looking at “partnerships they would wish to establish here in the Philippines,” and “opportunities and partnerships with relevant institutions and businesses here.”
Dominguez said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been assisting the Philippine government through a policy-based loan program to provide support for the implementation of the national ID system.
He said Estonia can also tap the Philippines’ young, skilled workers who are quick learners, fluent in English and can easily adapt to Estonia’s high-tech work environment, on top of exploring business partnerships here.