Kroes calls for joined-up approach to e-government in Europe

The world is currently in a digital age, where things that used to be done in offices or only in certain locations can now be conducted online. Instead of having to go to the local theatre, users can instead sign up for subscriptions that will allow them to stream and view movies online. A lot of pay-TV services are also on the rise, with users using their broadband connections to watch television shows as well. Perhaps the biggest player (and gainer) with the move to the web are online retailers that rake in millions and millions of pounds in revenue every year.

But the web, as we shall soon see, isn’t just for business or entertainment purposes. And while countless users go online for social networking and to keep in touch with friends and family, another sector is hoping to make their own move to the online world: governments.

It was revealed just recently that the UK government was planning to list contract opportunities online in order to speed up the process of project grants and bids. The Cabinet Office explained that they will be unveiling new measures in order to revolutionise how the government will purchase goods or avail of services from the private sector. This includes potential business deals that are will be worth around £50 billion.

On a related note, European digital agenda commissioner Neelie Kroes is calling for a joint approach for setting up e-Governments in Europe. The need for such an approach was heightened by the current global economic crisis.

In a speech last Thursday, Kroes explained that digital programmes from the public sector should be made operable in order to encourage cross-border business. Kroes stated: “For me the [economic] crisis underlines all the more the need to reform. We should not shy away from, but actively seek out, new market opportunities. We should not be scared of, but embrace the possibilities of open data and joined-up service delivery.”

Commission digital agenda spokesman Ryan Heath added that e-Government interoperability could push for more business opportunities to the private sector as well, saying: This is about more people getting more market opportunities. We need the ideas and the input of the private sector.”

The call for the joined-up approach to e-Government is highlighted in the European Union eGovernment Action Plan, which was created in 2006. The plan, which was adopted last year by the European Commission, reinforced that IT should be used to a greater extent by national governments in serving their constituents.

Source – ZDNet