US aims to reduce bureaucracy for citizens: The US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is beefing up its efforts to reduce the burden of paperwork on the public. The OMB is asking all federal agencies to provide it with details of initiatives that reduce the number of hours it takes citizens and businesses to provide departments with information. In a memo issued to executives of the 26 largest federal agencies, the OMB called for a 1 percent reduction in the number of hours required for the provision of information to government bodies. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, agencies must obtain OMB approval for all information-collection activities, and any violations of the act must be reported to Congress. The OMB also wants agencies to submit proposed timelines for reducing their paperwork burdens, to identify barriers to making such changes, and to lay down measurable targets for achieving paperwork reduction.
Belgium prepares for launch of national e-ID cards: US-based company SCM Microsystems has announced that it is providing the smartcard readers for Belgium's National e-ID programme. The firm says it has delivered the technology for implementation by Giesecke & Devrient (G&D), which will install the readers at all Belgian municipalities for use in conjunction with National e-ID smartcards. By the end of 2009, every Belgian citizen will be required to possess an electronic ID card; nearly 10 million cards will be issued to citizens over the next three to five years. The cards will contain a microchip storing the holder's personal data, including date of birth, family tree, civil status, current and past addresses and military situation. The card will not contain biometric data initially, although there is a facility to include it at a later stage if necessary. The chip will also contain a digital certificate, enabling users who access e-government services to attach an electronic signature to certify the authenticity of data transmitted. Private companies such as banks are also expected to develop services for use with the e-ID card.
Germany to launch e-health cards: The German government has said it plans to introduce electronic health cards in January 2006. The EUR1.8 billion project will involve the distribution of e-cards, each containing a digital certificate and a photograph of the holder, to around 80 million people. Use of the card will be compulsory for administrative functions such as insurance information and transmission of prescriptions. However, the storage of medical information on the card will be optional. The cards will be tested in a number of pilot schemes before being launched to the general population. Two versions of the system are being tested: a version whereby information is stored in a central location, a solution favoured by insurance companies; and a decentralised system where information is stored on the e-card, an option preferred by health care practitioners and pharmacists.
Bahrain works toward creating 'intelligent kingdom': The government of Bahrain is rolling out a scheme to offer subsidised PC hardware and software to all public servants. The move is part of an effort to increase computer literacy throughout society and to help fulfil the government's aim of creating an "intelligent kingdom." Under the scheme, Bahrain's Central Informatics Organisation (CIO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft that will see government staff being offered Microsoft Office software at a reduced price. Other software and hardware will be also be made available at subsidised prices for public sector employees, who will be granted flexible credit facilities to pay for the products. Microsoft will also provide e-learning tools to guide individuals through online training on Microsoft software. "By helping our government employees through individual training, and developing IT skills, we are better equipped in driving our e-government initiative successfully," said CIO acting president Shaikh Ahmed bin Ateyatalla Al Khalifa. The government is organising a number of roadshows to raise awareness of the scheme among public servants.
Kuwait, Singapore sign e-government treaty: Kuwait has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore to strengthen co-operation between the two countries in the area of e-government. Under the terms of the agreement, the two nations will promote discussion of e-government topics and will set up a working group on e-government, formed from public and private sector bodies in both countries. The two governments have also agreed to arrange study visits to each country to help identify areas of cooperation for planning e-government initiatives. The agreement was signed in Singapore by Kuwaiti Minister of Communications Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Singapore Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Lee Boon Yang. Speaking at the ceremony, Lee Boon Yang said the two countries shared a common vision to transform the public service into a networked government, in order to improve quality of life for citizens.
Autor: Sylvia Leatham
Quelle: ElectricNews.Net, 28.10.2004
