Dubai: Aimed at empowering decision makers and promoting good governance in the Arab world, the Dubai School of Government is set to manage a region-wide e-government portal.

Set up by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP/ICTDAR) in 2005, the online portal will be jointly managed by Dubai School of Government (DSG) and UNDP before being fully handed over to DSG by 2010.

"The agreement is part of a plan to enrich regional academic research on e-government and tackle e-governance barriers faced by Arab countries ... while facilitating the exchange of knowledge within governments, the private sector and academia," said Nabeel Ali Al Yousuf, DSG's Executive President.

From March

According to DSG, a research and teaching institution focusing on public policy in the Arab world, a version of the portal would be available from March but the official launch would coincide with a UN forum to be held in June.

Members of the public would be able to access the portal, with specific areas accessible only to registered experts.

The UNDP/ICTDAR Regional Coordinator, Najat Rouchdi, described the portal as "a valuable collaborative platform for governments in the region".

"The portal is an example of how technology can be applied to promote sharing of information. There really is a thirst for an exchange of ideas out there, and this would facilitate that.

"The main aim is to encourage a better decision making process, including methodologies and best practices," she said, adding that the entire portal would be in Arabic, to enable all governments across the Arab world to access the information.

DSG research associate Fadi Salem described e-government as a "tool of public sector reform" that helps to create a more "dynamic government".

"The concept enables less corruption because of a direct connection between the government and the public as well as the private sector. There are no middle men, so it increases transparency and decreases red tape," he explained.

Describing Dubai as a leader in e-governance, Salem said it could serve as a "model" for others.

Microsoft would also act as a partner during the transition period, building an upgraded version of the portal besides providing financial and technical support, training.