E-GOV PROJECT PROMOTES IT SOLUTIONS May 16, 2006

E-GOV PROJECT PROMOTES IT SOLUTIONS THAT SAVE TIME, MONEY AND INCREASE TRANSPARENCY

Macedonia's progress in using information technology (IT) to improve efficiency and transparency in government was emphasized in a new exhiibition of IT solutions organized by our project. The exhibit, entitled "e-Gov for a Modern Macedonia," in partnership with Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft.

Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski and U.S. Charge d'Affaires Paul D. Wohlers officially opened the event in the historic Daut Pasha Hamam.

"Through e-Government, public administration can become more open and transparent, and reinforce democratic participation. Assisted by technology, public administration also has the potential to become more service-oriented, providing personalized and comprehensive services to every citizen, and delivering maximum value to the taxpayers," said Mr. Wohlers.

Our Project has been assisting public institutions in the Republic of Macedonia to increase their efficiency and transparency, and to open new channels for doing business. On display at the exhibition were some of the solutions developed as part of the consolidated package of assistance, including the Apply On-Line system for state jobs; the e-Procurement system; e-Tax Services; the e-Health system, and e-Budgeting.

The corporate partners in the event, Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft, displayed e-Gov solutions developed for Macedonia and other countries. Also on display were digital certificates, which, with assistance provided by the USAID-funded e-Gov project, can now be issued in Macedonia.