UAE Ministry of Economy to highlight nationwide electronic government services at GLF Arabia 2008

The two-day event will bring together government leaders to actively discuss the three central themes of enhancing government competitiveness through capacity development, innovation, and government modernisation. Microsoft Founder and Chairman Bill Gates will be attending the event, signifying his company's strong commitment to assisting Abu Dhabi and the rest of the Arab World to achieve further social and economic progress.

Organised under the theme "Accelerating Arab Competitiveness", the Forum, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will feature visionary keynote speakers led by Gates and H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Economy, who will deliver the opening speech. The event, which forms part of an international series of activities organised by Microsoft to bolster global economic development and job opportunities, will also feature keynote presentations, case studies, interactive discussions and informal sessions where government and business leaders will share best practices and experiences on economic development and governance and the role of ICT.

"This is the second time that the UAE has hosted GLF Arabia and the first time that Bill Gates has visited the country; the Forum will definitely serve as a strong motivation for the participants to further expand the role of technology in their strategic development plans. The Ministry is making every effort to pioneer the regional standard for e-governance with a technology upgrade based on Microsoft infrastructure, with around 60 per cent of our services soon to be available to the public online. Our initiative will eventually enhance cross-government collaboration, contributing to further socio-economic progress in the country," said H.E. Sheikha Lubna.

GLF Arabia 2008 will focus on initiatives to build a stronger knowledge economy and improve digital education, including strategies for enhancing investment. Microsoft ultimately expects its government partnerships to pass technological benefits to 250 million people by 2010 with the aim of uplifting global living standards. The MoE has itself embarked on technology investments to make the UAE a preferred destination for regional and foreign investors by providing integrated user-friendly e-services and streamlining government network systems.

"Abu Dhabi provides the perfect setting for this Forum, as the emirate is a model of innovation, modernisation and capacity development. We are continuing with numerous initiatives to make Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and the rest of the Arab World a major global force in adopting digital tools for sustained development," added H.E. Sheikha Lubna.

"We are making major improvements to our portal eServices, which range from trademark issuance to commercial registration, emphasizing simplicity and improved customer interaction through a new content management system. Our current base of 10,000 customers will have access to a beta version of the revamped system for a limited time. We also plan to make 130 e-services available by 2009; ultimately, we intend to optimize Microsoft infrastructure to develop shared business systems and facilitate the reuse of intellectual property through all UAE ministries," concluded H.E. Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Alshihhi, Undersecretary - Planning Sector, UAE Ministry of Economy.