E-GOVERNMENT
The government views the e-government as one of the initiatives to deliver a better quality of life to the people of the Maldives and to bring the services of the government closer to the people. In this respective, government is starting on an e-government project (Information Technology Development Project) with loan assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (ITDP)

The Project will establish a network that will connect government and parastatal agencies (including Vilingili and Hulhule islands) in Male and 20 atolls. Government and parastatal agencies will be able to share their information electronically. The Government portals that will be set up by the Project will enable the public to
get access to government information and services through the Internet. The Project will also install Internet kiosks in Male as well as on the atolls to provide the public with better access to the government network and worldwide web sites. Telecommunications sector reform, which will be implemented as part of the Project, will lower the tariff of the Internet so the public can gain access to government and Internet information and
services at an affordable price.

Rationale
The Project is needed for the Government of Maldives to take advantage of information communication technology (ICT) in its pursuit of making government work more efficient, transparent, and accountable, and of delivering public services to the public,
aided by the telecommunications sector reform that will be implemented as part of the Project.

Objectives and Scope
The Project seeks to improve the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of public sector management by networking government agencies and electronically providing information and services for the public. The Project includes (i) networking of government agencies in Male by installation of a fiber optic cable, and connecting 20 atolls by carrier service for government agencies to share their information and for the public to get access to government information electronically; (ii) enabling electronic delivery of public services including the provision of applications for national citizen identification; public health services; and registration for vessels, vehicles, and aircraft; (iii) establishment of the National Computer Center, which will centrally coordinate ICT policies, standards, and practices for government work; (iv) building of Internet kiosks, which will provide the public with better access to government information and services; and (v) implementation of telecommunications sector reform, which will eventually enable the public to get access to the Internet at an affordable price.

Schedule: Installation and Commissioning of the network and selected applications will be completed in 2006.

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Link to ADB website
http://www.adb.org