"However, we expect this percentage to grow, mainly because the number of internet users in Venezuela has gone up by 30% year over year. Besides, there are several initiatives to increase the presence of public entities online," Tendencias director and partner Carlos Jiménez told BNamericas. Commenting on government initiatives related to the use of internet, Jiménez said there are bodies, such as the currency exchange control commission Cadivi or in some cases the national tax office Seniat that only accept contact through the internet. There are even some municipalities that now allow online tax payment.
"As long as the government has more sites and services available, the number of inhabitants using the internet to contact public organizations will increase," he added.
There are also other initiatives such as the digital municipalities program that helps Venezuelan municipalities to establish an internet presence. Currently there are over 200 municipalities with a website, out of a total of 330-350 municipalities.
The government also plans to increase the number of public internet centers (326 by end-2004) and has also launched Wi-Fi connection spots to offer free wireless internet access.
There are now 1.9 million internet users in Venezuela, representing 7-8% of the total population, according to Tendencias Digitales. Venezuela's national IT institute CNTI expects that number to double by year-end, to total 3.8 million users.
The study also found that the population chose not to give a positive evaluation to several online public services, such as those offered by municipalities or the registry office Onidex.
"Public services were the worst evaluated in terms of quality. That is why we believe that e-administration is a big opportunity because it is a way for the government to become more efficient when providing services," Jiménez said.
CNTI requested this study, which was conducted last January, as a way to evaluate e-government initiatives and the launch of the first Venezuelan e-government directory, which includes websites for all public organizations.
Autor: Cristina Molina
Quelle: Business News Americas, 04.04.2005
