The European Dimension of GeoInformation by Horst Forster European Commission Stuttgart, 14 October

1
The European Dimension of Geo-Information by
Horst Forster European Commission Stuttgart,
14 October 2004
STU 0
2
Economic and Societal Importance

• GI as an enabler
• GIs pervasiveness
• GI as a considerable economic factor

STU 1
3
Issues at stake

• Potential not realised
• GI is a European topic
• A reality of fragmentation
• Intransparency
• Public players in the market

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Issues to tackle at European Level ILegislative
action

• Regulate the way public sector bodies behave in
  information market
• Transparency and fair competition
• Light touch regulation
• PSI directive sets minimum standards
• MS are encouraged to adopt more favourable
  measures
• INSPIRE directive

STU 3
5
Issues to tackle at European Level IICo-financed
projects

• Research
• eContent Programme
• eContentplus Programme

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eContentplus Programme 2005-2008

• Tackling areas where the market fails
• Focus on geographical data, educational and
  cultural material
• Shift from content quantity to content quality
• Improved accessibility and usability at Community
  level

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eContentplus Programme 2005-2008 (continued)

• Reduction of number of instruments
  umbrella-type actions
• Best practice actions
• 163 M proposed

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Conclusion

• Lets make GI work for new economic activity and
• new products and services

STU 7