Workshop on E-Government British experience
A two-day workshop on "The E-Government: The British Experiment" was opened Monday organized by the Ministry of Communications and Technology in coordination with the British Council and the British Embassy in Damascus.
Prime Minister Naji Otari was represented at the opening ceremony by the Communications and Technology Minister, Bashir al-Munajjed in the presence of Ministers of electricity, tourism, education and social affairs as well as other senior officials, Arab and foreign ambassadors accredited in Damascus.
Al-Munajjed said in his opening speech that it is important to benefit from the British experiment in the field of e-government in outlining a specified strategy for e-government in Syria to achieve durable economic and social development as a basis for the elimination of poverty and raise standards of living.
The minister pointed out to the importance of setting up an e-government which depends on the participation of all walks of society as well as the public and private sectors. He stressed that Syria has made considerable steps in this regard as part of the ongoing administrative reforms on the path of development.
For his part, Peter Ford, the Ambassador of the UK in Damascus, delivered a speech in which he pointed out to Syria's interest to get acquainted with the experiments of other foreign countries in the field of e-governments and benefit from them in building an e-government that is modern and meets the purposes assigned to this kind of process towards a broadband development and optimal service for citizens.
The UK ambassador expressed his country's readiness to cooperate with the Ministry and help offer expertise in this field, pointing out that this help would boost British-Syrian relations.
The ambassador said his country supports the ongoing negotiations between Syria and the EU and looks forward to fruitful and constructive cooperation for the benefit of the two countries in various fields.
British experts in the e-government, including Charles Lo and Paul Folly, delivered lectures on the experiments of Arab and European in this field.