E-Government Conference in Riyadh 15. October 2008

Austrian Delegation offers know-how transfer on E-Government 

On Oct 14th a Government to Government Conference has been held between Austria and Saudi Arabia at the Saudi Ministry of Communication and IT in Riyadh. 

Austrian delegates from the Ministries of Finance, Justice, Interior, Agricutlure, the Austrian Federal Chancellery, Austria Business Agency, the Austrian eSignature Certification Authority and 4C Consult met with their counterparts from the Saudi side.

In the past few years, Austria has made a significant step to ward becoming a worldwide leader in modern E-Government. For example, it is, according to the benchmarking commissioned by the EU Commission in 2006, one of 28 countries that have proven themselves to be “European champions” in providing basic services in electronic form. The EU ranking shows that, in Europe, 75% of all public services are available in digital form, and about half of procedures can be done electronically, from start to finish. Austria, with figures above 90% for online services and 80% for complete electronic transaction of offi cial business, leads the pack by far. Even the EU’s new members have improved greatly thanks to transfers of echnology and know-how from Austria.

Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia are just a few European countries that have gradually copied the Austrian strategy or adopted certain laws or applications. In addition to the federal government’s E-Government offensive, Austrian companies are the ones mainly responsible for this situation. They have played an important role in creating the E-Government infrastructure required, also
enjoying considerable success on the export market.

In all, according to a recent survey by Austria’s Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), a total of 34.5% of the country’s firms are benefiting from the advantages of E-Government: most commonly, forms are downloaded and information is obtained in digital form. About half of all users have performed official business electronically. Particularly popular is the chance to do such business outside the normal business
hours and without waiting in line.

Users also want a wide range of services and prefer not to wade through bureaucratese, instead receiving explanations that can be understood by normal citizens. To increase userfriendliness and acceptance, Austria’s companies are working on simple general procedures. This entails a uniform
appearance, easy-to-understand menus, simple authentication, digital signatures, delivery and document archives. Austrian companies have taken the lead in a number of areas, and the country as a whole is far ahead with E- Government in Europe!

Now Austria offers it's services and advanced knowledge in the field of E-Government to Saudi Arabia.

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