UAE Minister of State for Finance and Industry Dr Mohamed Khalfan bin Kharbash said the projects, covering vital aspects relevant to federal government processes, would be initiated in another six months. Set up last April, the committee submitted the transition plan for approval last month. Dr Kharbash, who headed the committee's meeting yesterday in Dubai, said the flexibility with which the overall project has been approved reflects the invested interest and responsibility of the committee's members. 'These projects have been approved by the Steering Committee, which will then decide on the schedule for the tendering. Based on the feedback, the initial budgetary estimates for the e-Government programme will be drawn up and sent for cabinet approval,' said Dr Kharbash.
According to initial estimates, the budget will run into hundreds of millions of dollars. On whether separate laws will be brought in to effect the changes, Dr Kharbash said: 'These relate to cyber laws and how information is sourced through the Internet. There is a resolution to this effect from the Cabinet and the ministries concerned are working on it.'
'We see the initiative as being strictly long-term. However, we believe that the first phase will be completed in three years or so for the wider society to feel the full benefits from its implementation,' he added. 'Today, the committee has pursued priority projects in a structured manner that is coordinated with the overall E-Government implementation programme in order to achieve the key objectives of cost reduction and service enhancement by adopting numerous e-systems, including e-Government Procurement system, e-Human Resources Management system, e-Student system, and e-Business system.' 'We aim at establishing an e-environment to help us finalise and achieve world class UAE e-Government with cutting edge ITC technology. This objective complements our drive to achieve high performance and efficiency government, and enhances our efforts to provide corporate sector and individuals, UAE nationals and residents, with up to date solutions for any anticipated problem,' added Dr Kharbash. The committee also approved the e-Expat system that ensures fast and efficient services. It provides a single entry point to the expatriates of the UAE to process their visa and residency services, labour permits, and other services.
Quelle: Khaleej Times, 22.01.2004
