Dubai eGovernment shares expertise at 2nd National Conference of eGovernment in Syria
Presents successful strategies and policies to assist in the development of Syria’s digital information society
Dubai eGovernment has announced that it has participated in the 2nd National Conference of eGovernment in Syria held on 8th and 9th of June, 2008 in Damascus, Syria. Dubai eGovernment shared its expertise and experiences to support the development of Syria’s digital information society.
Dubai eGovernment presented a paper titled “Strategies and policies to achieve e-governance” where it provided a detailed overview of its objectives, policies and strategies, with an emphasis on the systematic application of these strategies. The paper focused on methodologies used to enhance the effectiveness and productivity of public institutions using information and communication technologies.
“The Syrian Government, particularly its Ministry of Communications and Technology, is to be commended for taking a serious and aggressive stance towards enhancing the digital capabilities of government. Electronically-enabled institutions can better serve society and thus contribute significantly to enhanced progress throughout the country. Our presentation will definitely encourage the Syrian Government to sustain its efforts to create a digital information society,” said Salem Al Shair, e-Services Director, Dubai eGovernment.
Among the factors that helped in the success of Dubai eGovernment's experience, according to the paper presented at the conference, are the clear vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and the patron of the initiative; the entry of modern technologies in the daily operations of Dubai government departments since the 1980s; the continuous development and modernization of administrative procedures and staff; as well as a number of initiatives that contribute to the enhancement of governmental institutions such as the Dubai Government Excellence Award.
The major challenges facing eGovernment are: raising awareness about eServices among the public and encouraging them to adopt electronic services; and convincing government officials that the electronic transformation is in the public interest and does not hamper growth, but instead paves the way for staff development.
Sponsored by the Syrian Ministry of Communications and Technology and held under the theme “Practical Steps towards Reality,” the two-day conference aimed to expand national electronic services and increase public awareness on the importance of digital information; thus paving the way for improved socio-economic conditions throughout the country. Syria chose Dubai eGovernment to share its experiences with eGovernance due to its widespread reputation as an effective enabler of e-citizen services and comprehensive administrative reforms.
Through Dubai eGovernment’s comprehensive web portal, www.dubai.ae, citizens, residents, visitors and business enterprises can access more than 2,000 electronic services, including fee payments, health cards renewal and company registration, among others.
