News: GCC eGovernments meet to draw up strategic plan

[M.Recep Usalan]

GCC eGovernments meet to draw up strategic plan

Three-day conference will be hosted by Oman

• Staff Report
• Published: 00:00 December 13, 2009
• 

Muscat: The first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) eGovernment Conference is set to create a strategic plan for regional e-governance in the future during a three-day conference that will be hosted in Oman from December 21-23, according to a top Information Technology Authority (ITA) official in the country.

Speaking at a press conference Saturday, ITA CEO Dr Salim Bin Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, said the conference will provide a platform for closer cooperation and coordinated strategic policymaking to ensure the benefits of eGovernment are felt across the GCC region.

The decision for the Sultanate of Oman to host the first GCC eGovernment Conference is recognition of the rapid growth of the eGovernment sector in Oman and the country's growing advancement in its delivery of electronic services (e-services) to citizens and residents across the country.

eGovernment leaders from all six GCC nations will be joined by a number of leading international experts in eGovernance for the inaugural conference set to become an annual event aimed at improving quality and building on the progress in eGovernment already made across the GCC.

Al Ruzaiqi said that he was very proud that Oman was hosting the inaugural GCC eGovernment Conference and able to demonstrate the huge advances the country has made in this area in recent years.

"It is clear that ICT will be one of the cornerstones of future prosperity and growth in the region boosting not only the economy but enhancing the everyday lives of citizens and residents here in Oman and all over the region," said the ITA Chief.

The quality and importance of the conference has attracted many high profile speakers who will also include leaders from some of the world's ICT organisations, in addition to academics from select institutions.