Leading regional IT players have joined HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority in support of the Government Technology (GT) Summit and Exhibition 2006. The three-day summit, organised by the World Development Forum in association with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The League of Arab States, opens on 3rd September at the JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai, to focus on cohesive and practical strategies for the expansion of regional e-governance.
As patron of the event, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum stressed, “I am pleased to offer my support to an event like the GT Summit which, aims to further the growth of Information Technology in the Gulf region by bringing together under one roof, decision makers, academics and IT vendors. The objective of the event draws a parallel with Dubai’s own efforts to spread the reach of Information Technology in all spheres of activity.”
Intel confirmed that its participation complemented its ‘World Ahead Program’. The comprehensive initiative aims to enhance living standards by accelerating access to uncompromised technology through accessibility, connectivity, and education to further expand the use of technology in order to support
e-governance advancement.
Abdulrahman Jarrar, Regional Government Affairs Manager, Intel Middle East, Turkey & Africa remarked, “Intel aims to invest over US$ 1 billion in this initiative by 2010. Our key objectives are to extend wireless broadband PC access to an additional one billion users, train ten million more teachers who could possibly instruct another one billion students. These issues are the cornerstones for effective e-governance throughout the region and globally.”
Intel also intends to work with Arab governments to deliver affordable PC purchase programmes and Increase the availability of high-speed wireless Internet connectivity through broadband deployments that reach locations where previously they were either impossible or simply not cost-effective to pursue.
“Regional governments will need comprehensive plans that will complete the transition from produce-based economies to knowledge-based economies,” stated Ghassan Mayassi, Business Consulting Director, Oracle, Middle East & Africa.
To help improve the efficiency of e-government operations, Oracle has already developed a 100 per cent internet-based solution and has dedicated over 2000 professionals worldwide to the public sector.
“To accurately gauge its performance indicators, Arab governments need to invest in national education systems, with reliable infrastructure to track the life cycle of their human capital assets. Global competition is inevitable so a life-long learning culture must be adopted as soon as possible,” urged Mayassi.
Security is pivotal to the long-term success of e-governance, according to Justin Doo, Regional Director, Trend Micro Middle East & Africa, “With financial gain now firmly established as the key motivator for creating virus infections, secure infrastructure networks are essential to building confidence amongst all stakeholders.”
The GT Summit is an invitation-only event and will target, high-level government ministerial officials in communications, commerce, education, finance, health, infrastructure and public works. Leading figures in other public sector or NGOs will also be sought such as chambers of commerce, municipalities, the judiciary, civil defence, utilities and tourism.
The Summit Agenda will cover strategic as well as technology related issues including ‘Successful IT-Management in the public sector’, ‘ICT for good governance’, ‘Improving Citizen Service with Performance-Driven Government’, ‘Measuring the Impact of e-Government Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Performance Measurement Tool’, ‘Smart IT infrastructures’, ‘Integrated Service Delivery Channels’, and ‘Information Security, Access, Collaboration and Integration’.
“In terms of security, eHosting DataFort will showcase an extensive range of services and plans to make a major contribution in the sessions related to the emerging trends in technology in addition ITQAN will present a case study on the solution developed for UAE government framework E-DIWAN –for the Department of Planning and Economy, we will also host an open forum which will allow delegates to share their issues, concerns and potential solutions, in an interactive format,” added Khaled Eid, Managing Director, The World Development Forum, the organiser of the event.
GT Summit is sponsored by Oracle, Intel, Trend Micro, eHosting DataFort, ITQAN with CNBC Arabia as media sponsor.
