The initiative, by Bahrain's eGovernment Authority (eGA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will also ensure the Arabic content in websites increases significantly from the present one per cent, said Cabinet Affairs Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Ateyatala Al Khalifa.
He was speaking after signing a project document to create the Arab Centre for eContent Development, at the UN House, Hoora, yesterday.
The centre, which is headquartered in Bahrain, will help grow Arab eContent and expand its quality presence with an international standard, reaching out to a knowledge-based society, said Shaikh Ateyatala.
The agreement was also signed by UNDP resident representative in Bahrain Sayed Aqa.
The event was attended by eGA chief executive officer Mohammed Al Qaed and several senior executives from both agencies.
The eGA and the UNDP will finance the creation of the centre equally.
It aims to develop Arab eContent by increasing its presence on the web relative to other languages, improving Arab online search engine capabilities and building skills in the area of eGovernment.
The centre will also audit the quality of eContent and issue accredited certifications.
'As such, the centre itself will not be staffed by many people, but the expertise it will help generate will result in thousands of jobs,' said Shaikh Ateyatala.
'It could be several thousands all over the Arab world.
'Bahrain is quickly becoming a pioneer in world-class technical initiatives that serve the general public,' he said.
'This programme will further consolidate its position globally in the area of eContent, and create a better tomorrow for Bahrain and our fellow Arab nations.
'The focal point of this initiative will be to train and develop Bahrainis and attract local and foreign investments to pursue similar partnerships which will, in turn, create even more lucrative job opportunities for our youth.'
A knowledge-based society is not only crucial for economic growth, but for sustainable development across the board, said Aqa.
'All this is good for the development of the citizens of Bahrain.'
He said the centre was one of the fruits reaped through the UNDP's numerous efforts in Bahrain.
'It will offer a professional eTraining programme which will engender a rich and dynamic knowledge environment for employees in particular and citizens and residents in general,' said Aqa.
Al Qaed said the eGA had so far been able to offer 100 services online and planned to offer around 200 more in the coming months.
'Most-in-demand services will soon be available online on a single national portal,' said Al Qaed.
He said the idea was to make Bahrain a leader in eGovernment by next year, putting it ahead in the Arab region and in the top five in Asia.
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Quelle/Source: Alibaba News Channel, 03.11.2009
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