From E-Government to Good Governance and from Good Governance to Development... The Arab world in the global E-Government readiness report 2005 Arab E-government

Arab governmnet should learn from Singapore, which aims to export government expertise

SINGAPORE, July 12, 2006 (AFP) - Singapore said Wednesday it will share the city-state's expertise with interested foreign governments in areas such as airport management, education systems and homeland security through a newly formed company.

The not-for-profit Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) will be the main vehicle for the city-state's public sector to share its experiences and expertise, a joint statement by the foreign and trade ministries said.

In the past three years, Singapore received more than 100 requests from foreign governments for assistance in airport management, education systems, e-government infrastructure and homeland security, the statement said.

"We expect demand for such expertise to rise over the next 5-10 years," said SCE vice chairman Peter Ong, also the permanent secretary for trade and industry.

"We estimate the global market size for public sector services to be worth billions and capturing even a small slice of this is an attractive prospect."

Singapore has gained worldwide admiration for its rise from a British trading port to become one of Asia's most economically advanced nations in just three decades.

Changi Airport has been voted several times to be among the world's best airports and the republic's education system is known for is strengths in science and mathamatics, among others.

Singapore has also beaten corruption and the government bureaucracy has gained a reputation for efficiency.

The city-state said it hopes that sharing its experience and expertise to foreign governments, organisations or entities will open up business opportunities for Singapore-based private sector companies.

Ong noted that Singapore had been a recipient of foreign help in the past, requiring British, French, and Japanese expertise to build its first mass rapid transport system.

Singapore however has been criticised for its tight curbs on press freedom, political expression and human rights.