Western European countries will increase their e-government budgets over the next three years as administrations push to meet official targets, research published in April 2003 has found. Results from a series of surveys by research firm IDC points to rising e-government expenditure until 2006 based on official targets and initiatives. Although the researchers say spending will peak next year, it is not certain if this will be reflected in government budget plans.
The researchers looked at e-government initiatives in the UK, France, Germany and Italy concluding that expenditure will rise as administrations step up work to meet targets.
In the UK, the researchers say that while the Government is “late on a few projects and has to deal with the hurdle of organisational change and complex relationships with private sector partners”; a good strategy, and fair economic outlook will allow “significant investment” in e-government.
Other findings are that:
- France is in a “good position” to become one of the most advanced e-government countries in Europe
- Italy sees “electronic solutions” as an opportunity to enhance social and economic competitiveness and will increase investments over the next few years
- Germany has e-government as a top IT priority, thanks to its BundOnline 2005 programme, and will look to invest to meet its targets
“Governments are not going to spend increased budgets in a short space of time. We won’t see a sudden peak in any one year but the e-government boom will be steadier and last longer, spread over the next three years,” he said.
Quelle: kablenet
