"The network should help build a knowledge-based economy by inserting technology in Jordanians' everyday life, as well as utilising ICT to play a role in national reforms by increasing the effectiveness of government services, infrastructure and human resources," Zu'bi said.
Along with the network, a "Change Management" programme will be implemented to ensure the best utilisation of the network by civil service workers, he added.
Zu'bi told reporters on Monday that the first and second phases primarily seek to provide a platform for information exchange among public sector entities through e-mail and databases, whereas later phases would introduce e-government services.
Participating in the press conference, Minister of Foreign Affairs Marwan Muasher said the network would help his ministry increase coordination with Jordanian embassies.
"Now we exchange information with embassies by using encoded fax letters, which do not allow for much information to be exchanged, have a lot of flaws and lack a certain amount of security. With the new network, we should be able to exchange information electronically and instantly," Muasher said.
The minister said in the future all visa and passport renewal applications would be available online on embassy websites, as the ministry is planning to use this network to computerise all its procedures to save people time, money and effort.
"If you are based in Los Angeles, you won't have to fly to Washington to apply for a passport renewal at the embassy there, you would be able to do it on your personal computer... in three days instead of six to seven weeks," Muasher said, adding that all embassies will have the same website interface and services which will be customised for each embassy in terms of language, news, and culture.
"If one ambassador needs information on the peace process, he can be immediately connected to the Foreign Ministry, other embassies like those in Cairo, Tel Aviv or Beirut... the information will flow easily but in a very secure way," Muasher said.
Officials working on the e-government project said security was one of their major concerns and they are working hand-in-hand with security departments as well as specialised consultants to ensure the security of the entire network.
Apart from the Foreign Ministry, the other departments to be connected include the ministries of interior, labour and tourism, the General Intelligence Department, the Drivers and Vehicles Licensing Department, the Department of Borders and Residency, the Civil Status and Passports Department, the Civil Service Bureau, the General Sales and Income Tax Department, the Department of Lands and Surveys, and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission.
After the implementation of the network in 2005, these departments would be able to provide e-services to the public, Zu'bi added.
"Car licensing will be decentralised and can be done in many different locations... citizens won't have to go to different departments to finish procedures, as they can go to one department and it would connect them with the other departments," e-government project supervisors explained.
In addition, the ministry will train at least 1,900 government employees on using the Internet in preparation for all government to government contacts to be conducted through e-mail. Currently 1,186 government workers use e-mail for most of their communications, according to the ministry.
Quelle: MENAFN, 19.10.2004
