Dubai School of Government Participates in OECD Peer Review in Morocco

Dubai: 16 December, 2007 - The Dubai Government has been invited by the Kingdom of Morocco to offer technical expertise and strategic support to develop the North African country's e-procurement portal.

The invitation was conveyed to Mahmoud Al Bastaki, Director of Dubai Trade - a member of Dubai World, who represented the Dubai School of Government (DSG) at a joint learning study on 'Integrity in Public Procurement'.

Held in Morocco, the meeting was initiated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as part of its country peer review project. It examined the Moroccan government's procurement reform programme launched early this year to curb corruption in government departments.

An expert in e-commerce payment solutions and integrity measures in public procurement, Al Bastaki shared Dubai's successful experience in the field of government procurement.

During the high level meeting, international experts met with officials of government and semi-government departments in Morocco to gain feedback on the progress achieved in curbing fraud across procurement operations. The committee also identified areas that require immediate attention and suggested actions to resolve the challenges.

Eliodi Bethe, Administrator at the OECD, and Co-ordinator of the Joint Learning Study field mission said: "Thanks to the government of Dubai, an expert from the Dubai World, namely Mr Mahmood Al Bastaki, participated in the field mission and shared his experience on procurement along with other experts from Canada and France".

Bethe added: "The success of this pilot project should encourage further similar actions in the Arab region, and it contributes to a better communication and cooperation between participating countries."

Al Bastaki said: "Inviting Dubai to participate in this international effort is a testimonial to the level of trust it has established as pioneers of good governance in the Arab world. With its excellence programmes, Dubai can help raise government sector performance in other countries."

The Dubai School of Government participates in various international forums, and meetings organized by multilateral agencies to highlight Dubai's success in achieving excellence in public sector performance. DSG also seeks to conduct policy forums hosting prominent speakers on leadership, public policy and innovation in governance.

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About the Dubai School of Government
Dubai School of Government is a research and educational institution set up in 2004 under directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, with a view to focusing on policies and administration matters. The School has laid down basics of cooperation and coordination with many worldwide schools of government, including Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, concluding an agreement to launch a set of educational programs and researches, promote exchange of experience and ideologies pertaining to the governmental policies in the region's governmental sector all over the world with the aim of supporting and developing leader and decision-maker skills in the Arab region. http://www.dsg.ae

For further information:
Noora Al-Mansoori,
A'Sidrah for Public Affairs  
+971 4 364 2319
Noora.yousef@asidrah.ae

© Press Release 2007