In recent years e-commerce and e-business have captured the imaginations and headlines and elements of “the new economy.” Recent data, however, shows that even in the U.S. with high levels of automation, e-commerce accounts for less than one percent of all business and consumer transactions.
It is becoming increasingly evident that for many developing and transitioning economies, e-government may have substantially more to offer in the near term than e-business. While lack of Internet access may limit widespread access to services by putting government online, there are significant benefits to be realized by automating the “back office” of government ministries. In fact, these back-office improvements frequently need to precede opening up public access.
Many governments (national and regional) are obtaining significant cost and service benefits by focusing attention on automating and integrating back office government processes, and by increasingly delivering more and more services over the Internet. Even in situations where there is limited Internet access, services can be delivered via kiosks located in public space such as malls and post offices.
Current Situation in Armenia
Over the past several years there has been considerable growth in the Government of Armenia’s use of automation in the various Ministries. The current state of this automation was captured during the Y2K focus as much of these technologies were assessed and upgraded to newer operating systems.
Specifically, in recent years there has been considerable progress in providing critical automation to the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), and the Ministry of State Revenue. More recently this has progressed to include the introduction of Smart Cards—currently scheduled for the spring/summer of 2001. Plans are also underway to expand the automated support for Armenian consumer credit via introducing local credit/debit cards into the Armenia market.
Target Outcome 5.1: Efficient, Effective, and Responsive Government
The government will undertake specific actions to assume leadership in ICT development and to expand and improve the quality of public services delivered to citizens and business via the deployment of ICTs.
Actions/Development Plans
5.1.1 Ensure efficient coordination of ICT-related activities being carried out in Armenia
Create a state ICT coordinating body that is responsible for development and definition of ICT strategies in Armenia. This coordinating body (e.g., Council or inter-Ministry Commission) must include representatives of relevant ministries, private IT industry, Parliament, and NGOs.
5.1.2 Appoint Chief Information Officer (CIO) or Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Locate this lead position either in the Office of the President or Prime Minister. The CIO/CTO should chair the ICT coordinating body and be responsible for implementing the ICT strategies and raising key issues to the President and/or Prime Minister where required, as well as coordinating with the Parliament.
5.1.3. Raise awareness of the possibilities and requirements associated with the expanding role of ICTs across all sectors in Armenia
Target Outcome 5.2: Realization of e-Government
The Government of Armenia will establish a comprehensive approach for leveraging ICTs to improve the internal operations of key processes within the Ministries as well as improve the delivery of services to the businesses and citizens of Armenia.
5.2.1. Implement targeted e-government initiatives
Undertake a series of e-government-related seminars and workshops with visiting presenters drawn from the private as well as public sectors.
Examine the potential for e-government by relying on the ICT coordinating body (see above) for direction and develop a preliminary e-government plan of action that has buy-in from the Government of Armenia as well as international and donor organizations.
Target a limited number of e-government pilot projects, seek funding, and implement.
Elaborate and start implementing a comprehensive e-government program with objectives, action plan, and time schedule, which will delineate the Government of Armenia’s steps to pass through three stages of e-government: publishing, interaction, and transaction. Determine financing sources and mechanisms.
Involve “star” companies (e.g. Cisco, Oracle, etc.) in providing systems, software, and components necessary to build up a viable e-government.
Establish a Government of Armenia portal and increase the number of government Web sites that are included in this single, easy to access and search portal; improve their contents, quality, and usability.
Target Outcome 5.3: High-Speed Government of Armenia Network (GOANet)
The Government of Armenia will expand its reliance on telecommunications for extending and improving the communications and integration of its Ministries and in expanding the support provided via these services to those living outside of Yerevan.
Actions/Development Plans
5.3.1 Create and implement GOANet
Assess options for establishing a high speed GOANet linking several Ministries within Yerevan.
Undertake a limited pilot project for establishing this network within Yerevan.
Evaluate options for extending this GOANet to locations outside of Yerevan for linking Ministries located in Yerevan to their remote offices.
Examine options for linking this GOANet to the Internet for delivering high-speed Internet access for the Armenian Government.
Examine potential to meld/partner with a similar Armenian University Network initiative for achieving cost savings.