Dubai, 7th April 2012 (WAM) - The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), represented by the Information and eGovernment Sector, will launch the Federal eGovernment Plan 2012-2014 at a meeting to be held on April 9, 2012 at The Address Downtown Dubai.
The UAE Cabinet headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the Plan in February this year. Salem Khamis Al Shair Al Suwaidi, Deputy Director General for Information sector and eGovernment, TRA, says, "Federal eGovernment Plan 2012-2014 provides us with the necessary impetus to carry forward the federal eGovernment programme in the UAE. The Plan has set out initiatives for us to launch over the years from 2012 to 2014 with the objective of providing comprehensive eServices to the public within two years as per the directives of Sheikh Mohammed." Al Suwaidi will explain the various components of the Federal eGovernment Plan such as the objectives and initiatives at the meeting. A working team will be formed at the federal level within the TRA's Information sector and eGovernment which will consist of representatives from all federal ministries, authorities and entities. The mission of the team would be to ensure the implementation of the Federal eGovernment Plan in order to provide federal government services electronically through multiple channels within two years. The TRA requests the federal authorities to nominate two of its officials to be members of the joint team who will coordinate and follow-up with the TRA in order to successfully implement the Federal eGovernment Plan. The Council of Ministers' resolution directs the TRA to develop clear performance indicators for the implementation of the Federal eGovernment Plan in coordination with the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers. "The decision of the Council of Ministers prompts us to take concerted efforts and coordinate steps to embody the principles of the knowledge society and eGovernment to provide services to the public through all available channels. This would enhance the global competitiveness of our country, which is reflected on the national economy and social development. It will also enhance the reputation of the UAE, as a global leader in the field of eGovernment," Al Suwaidi added. These efforts come after the publication of the UN eGovernment Survey 2012, in which the UAE has made an impressive jump of 21 ranks. The UAE is ranked at 28 as against 49 in the 2010 report. The UAE has achieved impressive results in the sub-indexes of the survey. On online service index, the UAE jumped from rank 99 in the 2010 Report to rank 7 in 2012 Report. On e-participation index, the UAE advanced 80 ranks; the UAE jumped from rank 86 in the 2010 Report to the rank 6 in 2012 Report.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2012.
