Governments should draw on the expertise of eServices to provide smoother implementation of ICT projects

Al-Shair recently inaugurated a seminar on 'Internet-based services for eGovernment and businesses in Dubai, hosted by the Embassy of Finland in association with Dubai eGovernment, in the presence of H.E. Risto Rekola, the Ambassador to Finland in the UAE.

Al-Shair said countries that had a head start on eServices had reached high levels of eService delivery for their government departments, and it was in the interest of evolving governments to draw on that expertise for a smoother implementation of ICT projects.

H.E. Risto Rekola said, 'The ICT sector is advanced in Finland and has subsequently attracted international attention. With this in mind the campaign Digital Finland was launched last year in the UAE with the purpose of sharing Finland's experience in the IT arena with the Gulf region.'

The seminar highlighted the Finnish experience on eGovernment. Finland is among the worlds leading nations on ICT and a recognized information society who was rated thirteenth according to the United Nations worldwide benchmarking exercise for e-governance, which also rated the UAE as twenty-first last September. This has given rise to the emergence of numerous Finnish ICT companies specializing in highly advanced and innovative products and solutions. These companies, now grouped under an initiative called Digital Finland, are offering their expertise to the Gulf region. The speakers at the seminar were representatives from Digital Finland (Axel Finland, Evia Helsinki, Nixu Oy, Stonesoft Middle East and Axel Digital Oy) as well as Counsellor Seppo Kurkinen from the Ministry of Finance of Finland.

The Dubai seminar focused on the benefits of Internet based services, how to build portals, market eServices to the people, security and the latest IT and eService developments in Finland between the government and municipalities.

Focusing on the Dubai eGovernment experience, Al-Shair commented: 'The Dubai government's vision to emerge as the regional hub of the Digital Economy is being implemented with expertise from the world's leading players in ICT and eCommerce. The project was preceded by extensive groundwork that included visits to countries that were successfully migrating from manually delivered services to integrated eServices.'

'We are pleased to welcome representatives from Digital Finland as their visit offers increased awareness for eServices and highlights the wealth of knowledge, real experience and technology gone into creating successful eGovernments,' added Al-Shair. 'Their presence in the Gulf region indicates the seriousness with which they view ICT developments in the Middle East. These companies are assured of receiving a strong response from the local business sector and should lead to productive mutual cooperation.'

The topics shared at the seminar included development of eGovernment services in Finland, marketing of eServices, publishing and user interface solutions for portals, secure eCommunity portals, digital television as a delivery channel and cooperation between the government and municipalities as well as a case study on Espoo, Nokia mobile phone's hometown.