More than 10 worldwide e-gov case studies to be presented at GCC E-Government and Telecom Forum

The forum is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority.

At the forum, selected best practices (e-government case studies) show the clear evidence of the changes that Public Administrations are making in their own organization in order for e-Government to deliver its full potential. During the three day meeting participants work to highlight practical measures for an improved functioning of the public sector and testify to GCC's determination in carrying through the implementation of the e-government projects.

Apart from key worldwide experts who will speak at the forum, the list of e-government leaders who are set to present case studies include Dr. Salah Abdul Rahman Al Athl President King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology Riyadh KSA, Mr. Rafat Radwan Executive Manager Information and Decision Support Centre Egypt, Dr. Robert Hilty President E-com Trust Switzerland, Mr. Charles Havekost Acting Director Department of Health USA, Dr. Ahmed Hamed Al Mohannadi General Manager Qatar e-Government Project, Mr. Salem Al Shair Director Dubai e-Government, Dr. Khaled Al Khazraji Under Secretary UAE Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Dr. Khaled M. Al Tawil, Director General National Information Centre - KSA, and Col Saeed bin Bleila General Manager Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department.

The forum will provide real evidence that the development of e-Government requires a shared vision of public sector innovation, a major interoperability of public administrations information systems, a better coordination between central and local administrations, an exchange of experiences to assess the feasibility of emerging solutions for identification, security and privacy, the recognition of the importance of R&D and the need to create e-Government services and a system of portals.

Mr. Ali Al Kamali Managing Director of Datamatix and the chief organizer spoke about the background and relevance of the event. He said "There has been much interest in the GCC and abroad in utilizing the Internet to improve communications between governments and citizens. The Internet has great potential in giving individuals greater access to their governments, while at the same time improving efficiencies and cutting bureaucratic delay. But the reality, despite several initiatives by the GCC governments there is a sizeable portion of society which lacks both access to the Internet and the skills to use it effectively."

More than 300 participants from 14 countries have already confirmed to attend the forum, among whom more than 8 Ministerial delegations tasked with e-Government issues, numerous representatives of the GCC local institutions involved in the e-Government sector and high level managers of GCC and Middle East ICT companies.

The forum is supported by leading organizations like Dubai Internet City, Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department, Microsoft, ENOC, Dubai E-Government, Ducont, BMC Software, FourStars.net, and Al Amri Lawyers UAE.