The forum aimed to foster the collaboration between ictQATAR and MOI, in terms of choice of e-content, its management, in addition to ensuring the quality of the e-services offered to users. Speakers at the forum underscored the collaborative efforts between the MoI and ictQatar to develop the comprehensive government network that will ensure that information being shared and sent electronically between government agencies, businesses and citizens is secure.
Hassan Al Sayed - ictQATAR's Government Information Management Office (GIMO) Executive Director - spoke about the importance of websites to any government entity, especially with the Internet becoming the key consumer touchpoint in the digital age. "ictQATAR has always given priority to its Integradted e-Government strategy which aims to create a one-stop shop for all those who live & work in Qatar to access e-services by the click of a mouse, thus making the government more efficient & responsive," he stressed.
Al Sayed also announced that major upgrading is currently in the works for Hukoomi , based on surveying Hukoomi users' needs & expectations, so that the quality of services offered to users via the portal can be further enhanced.
The second session featured a presentation by Mohamed Al Emadi, ictQATAR, focusing on Hukoomi's vision, strategy & goals. "Since its launch in February 2008, Hukoomi has offered more than 290 services to the public, including 56 e-services via the portal," explained Al Emadi, "The essence of Hukoomi's strategyis that it offers a bilingual platform for both transactional & informational services to many different segments. ictQATAR is currently working on Hukoomi Phase Two, in which the quality both the transcational & informational aspects of Hukoomi will be leveraged in addition to revamping the portal's design, e-content, functionality & increasing the interaction between the portal & its users via services such as SMS alerts and offering Hukoomi services via mobile channels".
Proior to the forum's closure, Engineer Ahmed Mohamed Al Kuwari, Government Applications Manager, presented a paper on ictQATAR's Integrated e-Government Program, in which he showcased the program's role, core objectives, strategy, master plan and expected achievements in the coming period.
"i-Gov is a nationwide effort is underway to modernize Qatar's government and make it more responsive to the citizens, residents, and businesses it serves. It aims to will make government more efficient, create productivity and competitiveness gains for businesses, enhance availability and accessibility of e-services to individuals through a single access point, and bring fuller transparency to government processes" Al Kuwari said.
"The program's master plan focuses on the implementation of 54 projects over four periods, starting 2006 until 2011. Phase one included setting the basic standards & guidelines - and was implemented in 2007. Phase two - which started with the launch of Hukoomi in February 2008 - is centered around information, while pahse three, initiated in May 2009, focuses on interactivity. The final phase - to be started in November 2010- is about integration, comprising all programs related to implementing the final infrastructure requirements plus other services as construction permits & the Human Resources system" he added.
Al Kuwari closed his speech with outlining the current programs that are to be implemented as part of the Integrated e-Government program, including the Government Procurement program, Government Network, Government Resource Planning, Employment Services and Customs Clearance programs.