With an attempt to increase efficiency, acquire more credibility and avoid negative sides in governmental procurement, a three-day regional conference for the Arab countries will be held in Aqaba from 4 to 6 June 2006.

The conference will include active members in bids and tenders’ committees, administrative control bodies, private sector representatives, government officials involved in procurement, accounting and logistics, judges, arbitrators, lawyers, bank experts and insurance and re-insurance companies.

Organized by the Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO) in cooperation with the “e-Procurement and e-Accounting Project” of Jordan, the conference will discuss live experiences in the electronic procurement systems, economic benefits and legal issues related to processing electronic signatures, digital administrative contracts and disputes related to government and private electronic purchase processes.

Government of Jordan has long recognized that one of the major driving factors in transformation of the Jordan economy is the government itself being the largest producer and consumer of goods and services in the country.  The e-Procurement project goes in line with the government’s e-Government roadmap which was prepared in the year 2001. 

The “e-Procurement and e-Accounting Project” had been initiated in February 2005 to help the country to better organize its internal operations and improve its delivery of services, including the acquisition of goods and services from the private sector.

Funded by the Italian government and lead by the General Supplies Department of Ministry of Finance in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the project will review and evaluate the current procurement processes and practices and will eventually scale up the initiative to all departments of government involved in procuring goods and services.

Through the project, e-Procurement will be available electronically over the next couple of years, which will provide more transparency and accountability in government operations and enhance the involvement and participation of citizens.

Within its Good Governance Programme, UNDP had lead many activities in implementing e-Government programmes in the country, such as computerization of Customs Department, Income Tax Department and the ongoing project of Property Tax Department. 

UNDP’s approach to e-Government is based on its belief that access to Information is a pivotal empowerment tool and underpins effective interventions in the area of democratic governance which is central to sustained poverty reduction and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

E-Government is vital for strengthening accountability, transparency, participation and rule of law. Accessible and understandable information and the means and ability to communicate are important for enabling people to participate in policy making processes and the decisions that affect their lives. UNDP believes that the implementation of the right to information is prerequisites for ensuring the voice and participation necessary for an open democratic society.