Main eGovernment infrastructure components

Last updated: October 2011

Portals

eGovernment portal

The portal serves as a one-stop shop to central and local public services and forms online, while also incorporating a transactional platform. Users can register for interactive and transactional services. Links to all the departments of central and local government are also included in the portal, as well as information regarding the legislation and regulations related to the interaction with the Public Administration. Moreover, a Unique Form Service system gathers nine eServices for businesses. The eServices are designed for large contributors and provide unified access for eGovernment services.

Electronic Point of Single Contact

The target of the portal is to allow for convenient retrieval of all information, working procedures, as well as a set of interactive forms needed by service providers who wish to conduct their activity in Romania. Furthermore, it provides information about the national business context, objectives and benefits, the authorities concerned, legislation in the field and financing arrangements.

Networks

National Network

The construction of a national network linking all local and central government information systems is underway.

Local Communities Electronic Networks (LCENs)

The LCENs connect local communities (schools, public offices and libraries) to the Internet. Public Access Points have been set up in each area covered by the networks. The objectives are to reduce the rural-urban digital divide, stimulate the use of ICTs in schools, and facilitate the interaction between citizens and administration. The network has covered 255 rural communities and small towns throughout Romania, targeting over 1.7 million Romanian citizens (10 % of Romanian rural areas).

eIdentification/eAuthentication

‘Integrated National System Introduction and Update of Information relating to Personal Records’ project

‘Integrated National System Introduction and Update of Information Relating to Personal Records’ was approved on 1 March 2011, with an implementation period of 19 months. The creation of such a system presupposes the issuance and management of identity documents in accordance with Romanian legislation and EU recommendations. The project, by implementing IT, targets a number of breakthroughs:

• issue various certificates, like identity card, civil status certificate, passport, car registration and deregistration online;
• communicate to various public institutions and authorities of the identity data of certain persons;
• identify the changes occurring in the records of persons on the basis of data updates;
• provide Local Registry data for evidence of people, at the request of central and local institutions and authorities.

eProcurement

National eProcurement system

Romania has a central eProcurement platform ('eLicitatie.ru') that is under the responsibility of the National Centre for Management of Information Society (CNMSI). All Romanian contracting authorities are required to publish their notices within the framework of public procurement procedures, and all businesses aiming at supplying products or services to a public authority have to access the platform.

Source: 'Digitising Public Services in Europe: Putting ambition into action - 9th Benchmark Measurement'

This system simplifies procedures for both suppliers and purchasing agencies. Since 1 January 2007, it has been the national single point for the transmission of PP notices to the EU Official Journal (as OJS eSender). Furthermore, it offers interactive and transactional services dedicated to sustain 20 % of the total amount of public acquisition.

Knowledge Management

National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics (ICI)

The ICI is the most prominent research and development centre for ICT innovation in Romania, with extensive presence in knowledge management, either through the development of systems based on knowledge, application of communication networks, or other activities. ICI's mission is to develop scientific and technological support in ICT and the necessary structures to promote an information society based on knowledge. The institute’s main areas of expertise include: communication networks and advanced technologies for application development in various environments; systems based on knowledge and learning; and ICT in areas of public interest.

Other Infrastructure

ePayment infrastructure

Virtual Payment Office

The 'Virtual Payment Office' (Ghiseul Virtual de Plati) project aims at facilitating citizens’ interaction with the Public Administration by allowing for electronic payment of fines, taxes and other fiscal obligations via bank cards. New types of payments towards the State were added into the system, such as tax obligations related to salary income (where appropriate) and income from: commercial activities; liberal professions; intellectual property rights; concession of the use of goods; transfer of securities; term buying/selling operations of the currency, on a contractual basis; agricultural activities; and real estate property transfer.

National Information System for Tax Payment Online

With Government Decision 1235/2010 of 6 December 2010, the Government, in co-operation with the National Centre for the Management of Information Society (CNMSI), established an ePayment platform to be used with credit cards. Its main purpose is the elimination of queues at taxation offices, thus enabling citizens, businesses and the Public Administration to save both time and costs.