Government sources told the Times of Oman that the e-government programme was in progress as scheduled earlier, and would be implemented as soon as possible. "A high-level executive committee had been formed to set a clear strategy to implement the e-government programme," top sources at the Ministry of National Economy added. Sources, however, said implementation of e-government requires significant financial outlays. More significantly, "we have to set necessary infrastructure — physically, legally and institutionally.
"More significantly, for implementing the system, we need highly qualified and trained manpower.
"Of course, we have finalised the national strategy for Information Technology some time ago. The salient features of this strategy include the basic infrastructure of the national network and information systems, necessary rules and regulations for the security of electronics and dealing and bridging of the digital-gap".
The programme earmarks sound investment to achieve the objectives of connecting citizens. Worldwide, online government services are emerging as a common phenomenon and fundamentally, the Sultanate enjoys favourable conditions for e-government such as a stable government and solid economy.
Quelle: MENAFN<, 16.05.2004
