Lebanon Launches e-Procurement System with Support from Development Gateway and Government of Italy
Tunis, Tunisia, November 17, 2005 - The Government of Lebanon is connecting five ministries through an e-government system that aims to cut costs by streamlining their procurement processes and opening them to more competitive bidding online. The first phase of the system, announced today at the World Summit on the Information Society, is being deployed with technical assistance and a $498,000 grant from the Development Gateway Foundation's e-Government Grants Program, a partnership with the Government of Italy. Phase One includes the installation and upgrading of a network, back-office systems and a website, as well as training. Upon completion of the first phase, the five ministries will post their tenders together on the Internet. The Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR) of the Government of Lebanon is the designated national implementing agency. e-Procurement is seen as a strong potential stimulus to economic and social development. e-Procurement systems aim to reduce costs by introducing more transparency, competition and efficiency in government contracting. Because small and midsize enterprises can gain easier access to contract opportunities online, e-procurement also supports enterprise development. The Development Gateway's e-Government Grants Program provides a mechanism for rapid, low-cost implementation of locally-driven e-government initiatives in developing countries. It is a key component in the Development Gateway's overall efforts to increase efficiency in the public sector by improving transparency and institutional capacity in procurement and other government processes, such as the management of international aid. The program was initiated through a co-funding agreement with the Government of Italy and is open to additional partners. About the Development Gateway Foundation The Development Gateway Foundation puts the Internet to work for developing countries, helping improve lives by enabling more effective development worldwide. Bringing hundreds of partners together with information-sharing tools, services and related grants, the foundation acts as a catalyst, enhancing aid effectiveness, improving government efficiency and building local enterprise. The Development Gateway is a public foundation based in Washington, DC, with activities in 60 countries. For more information visit <www.developmentgateway.org>. Contacts Allison Scuriatti, in Washington +1.202.572.9216 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Karen Lynch, in Tunis +1.202.299.6745 (cell) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
