The technological convergence of Greece with the rest of Europe is developing at a slow pace, according to the study of IOVE, powered by google.

Internet connection and usage trends, according to the conclusions of the study, as mentioned by Mr. Angelos Tsakanikas, Research Director of IOBE, are higher among the younger age groups (80% of the 16-24 year old segment), while education and income seem to play an important role (94% of highly educated Greeks use the internet, over 50% of Greeks with an income of more than 75,000 euros have online access).

As far as businesses are concerned, their connection rates are very close to the European average (Greece – 93%, EU 27-95%), however these decrease in very small businesses with less than 10 employees). Finally, the expansion of the use of e-government services appears to be slow, due to complex procedures, reluctance to provide information from users and incomplete e-services.

Also, according to the IOBE study, about half of Greeks use the internet, at the same time 93% of businesses have access to the internet, but only 4% make their orders online. The 13% of the Greeks makes use of electronic government services compared to the 32% of the E.E.

According to the survey, almost 24% of businesses, who prefer not to transact electronically with public services, say they do not trust the available platforms, while 22% of them find e-government services too complicated or time-consuming. A significant percentage (above 14%) believes that electronic procedures still require the exchange of paper mail or personal visits to the public organization, while finally 13% of entrepreneurs are not informed about the availability of e-government services.

As pointed out in the study, the contribution of the internet to the Greek economy and society can be significant, as long as Greek businesses and the State adopt specific practices, orienting themselves to the online era.

As the study showed, the internet and the development of electronic services enhance transparency, simplification of procedures and accessibility, which creates additional opportunities for the State, citizens and businesses.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Dionysis Kolokotsa, Public Policy manager of Google Greece, pointed out that the IOBE study shows that there is room, but also an opportunity to accelerate the use of the Internet in our country. The Internet can make a decisive contribution to economic development, the implementation of the necessary reforms and the promotion of Greek culture. Today, more than ever, we need to take action and further integrate the Internet into our daily lives, he said.

Speaking in the debate that followed, the general secretary of Information Systems and general secretary of Revenue, Haris Theocharis, pointed out that both bureaucracy and tax evasion can be reduced and fought with the use of electronic technologies (internet, etc.), regarding citizens' tax obligations, but also their transactions in general.

For his part, the General Secretary for Consumers, of the Ministry of Development, Mr. Giorgos Stergiou, mentioned - among other things - that an electronic complaints platform is being created, which will also have applications on "smart phones", so that citizens can submit their complaints with greater speed and convenience.

SOURCE:https://www.toxrima.gr/technologika-kathisterimeni-sigklisi/