MANAMA: The Kingdom of Bahrain and Sri Lankan government are keen to sign a memorandum of understanding to arrange for a visit programme for specialists in the eGovernment sector so as to develop cooperation and partnership between the two nations.
This came as the eGovernment Authority (eGA) welcomed high-level delegates led by Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Sri Lankan Ambassador to Bahrain Anura Mudiyanselage Rajakuruna at the authority premises in Muharraq.
The visit was within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations between Bahrain and the Republic of Sri Lanka as well as boosting co-operation within the eGovernment and ICT fields between both nations. It was particularly distinctive as the Secretary to Sri Lankan’s President who’s in charge of the eGovernment program in Sri Lanka since 2002 and the President of Sri Lanka are personally interested and supportive of the eGovernment program for more than a decade.
The high-level delegates were received by eGovernment Authority management represented by Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Vice CEO Dr. Zakariya Ahmed Al Khaja, Strategy Management and IT Process Reengineering Director Nezar Maroof Omar and CEO Consultant Feras Ahmed Jaffar.
The authority presented Bahrain’s eGovernment journey since the implementation of the first eGovernment strategy (2007-2010) and the milestones that have up to now been achieved within the current National eGovernment Strategy 2016. Furthermore, a number of key projects were presented to the visiting delegates such as the portal revamp project (Portal Plus), the National Suggestions and Complaints System (Tawasul), in addition to other achievements. The UN Study Tour, organized by UNDESA for delegates representing 15 countries to benefit from the experience of Bahrain, gained particular attention from the visiting delegation.
The visiting delegates, in turn, highlighted the key Sri Lankan initiatives in the field of eGovernment covering the areas of eSociety, capacity building and developing the private sector. Both parties concentrated on opening wider horizons of mutual cooperation between the two countries and opportunities to expand the exchange of successful experiences at all levels.
Lalith Weeratunga applauded the landmark milestones and achievements of Bahrain in the field of ICT, particularly after Bahrain being selected by the United Nations as a global model to transfer ICT experiences to the LDCs. Noting that the recent developments witnessed in various sectors throughout the Kingdom are during the rule of His Majesty King Hamad.
This visit came within the framework of activities that coincide with the official state visit by the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Kingdom which aims to expand Bahrain-Sri Lanka bi-lateral relationships in various fields.
Both parties agreed to arrange visits for stakeholders in Sri Lanka to sightsee Bahrain’s eGovernment experience similar to the UN Study visit organized by UNDESA for delegates from 15 countries when they visited a number of eGovernment projects in Bahrain.
The delegates expressed their delight with the outcome of the visit aiming to boost bilateral links in various fields including eGovernment.
The delegates also admired Bahrain’s openly cooperative initiatives and willingness to transfer its successful experience in the field of eGovernment with all other countries in the world.