IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

KSIGN International, Inc. (OCTBB: KSIG), a global e-Security leader, today announced that KSIGN was assigned to construct a Private Certificate Authority (CA) Center, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) System, Electronic Notarization System (Time Stamp Authority) and Electronic Bid System for the Government of Saga City, Japan. The Government of Saga City is one of the leading regional governments in Japan in promoting the computerization of traditional government functions into the formation of an e-Government. Electronic Certification System and Electronic Notarization will be enabled through the construction of this Private CA for Saga City Government. Additionally a Test Electronic Bid Service will be available for 4,000 businesses located in the region.

The total budget of this project was set at USD $480,000 and the USD 115,400 was apportioned to KSIGN's services in this project.

The construction of the Private CA will provide Electronic Certification Service for Saga City's 200,000 citizens and 4,000 businesses. With the availability of this service, it is anticipated that many new e-Government functions can be provided for the region's citizens and businesses.

The Private CA, through the issuance of digital certificates to the public, will improve trustworthiness and safety of e-Government services by preventing forgery, ensure privacy and verify identification in an open Internet environment. The automation of government functions will reduce costs for the government and result also in service charges for the services provided. Additionally, Electronic Bid System will provide transparency on government tenders and auctions.

In the near future, there are plans to promote online payment, online issuing administration certificates and other e-Government services.

Vice president Dr. In-Jae Park, the project leader, noted that "KSIGN is the first foreign company to ever supply Electronic Certification System and Electronic Notarization System to any level of Japanese Government. Other provincial governments are also interested in this project and under careful evaluation to execute similar projects as the one we are performing. We are expecting more business opportunities in Japan. 3300 Japanese regional governments will promote and execute similar projects in the near future and the whole market size can be estimated for between USD 50 million to 100 million a year. KSIGN has a good opportunity in these other projects since we have provided Electronic Certification System and Electronic Notarization System to Saga City."

About Saga Province and City, Japan

Saga City is located in the central part of the Saga Plain. Saga City has rapidly continued advancing as the capital of Saga prefecture.

• Capital: Saga City
• Province Population: 886,000
• Area: 2,439 sq. km

Quelle: Yahoo Finance, 13.12.2004