Philippines’guidelines on adoption of e-Payment, Collection
A joint administrative order was recently issued by Philippines’ Department of Finance (DoF) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recommending guidelines and policies to the government adoption of an Electronic Payment and Collection System (EPCS) in relation to the implementation of the E-commerce law. The policies prescribed include the keeping of electronic payment and collection data for 60 days, while government electronic archives would be kept available for 10 years. The directive also announced that a Government Electronic Payment and Collection Systems Evaluation Team (GEPCSET) would be shortly created.
Singapore e-Government Leadership Centre set up
Lee Boon Yang, Singapore’s Information, Communications and the Arts Minister, announced the setting up of ‘Singapore e-Government Leadership Centre’ to help developing countries share its brand of e-Government solutions. The centre would train policy makers and telecoms regulators involved in information and communications technology. Besides, the centre would also offer programmes in the area of e-Government strategy, policies and implementation.
Meanwhile, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) recently awarded the service provider iCell Network a contract to build the eastern portion of Singapore’s ambitious nationwide Wi-Fi initiative, Wireless@SG. ICell Network, which is a partner of wireless multi-service mesh technology developer Firetide Inc., would be creating a high-capacity wireless infrastructure for the thousands of new Firetide access points needed for the area.
e-D form system for travellers exiting Myanmar
All the travellers exiting Myanmar would now be able to avail e-D (electronic departure) form system that would facilitate their process for exit after a passport is ready at hand. Being implemented as part of the e-Government system, the Ministry of Immigration and Manpower has provided this online service for the first time. A special website for e-D form has been put up on the Internet. Myanmar has so far launched some e-Government systems including e-Visa, e-Passport, and e-Procurement. Currently, Myanmar is trying to improve its public Internet services. In 2006, some 50 public access centres (PAC) have been established in the country in places such as Yangon, Mandalay, Pyinmana, Pyay, Magway, Muse, Myitkyina, Monywa, Pathein and Taunggyi. Myanmar intends to establish some 400 PACs in 324 townships within 3 years.
Brunei to implement IDPS e-Government project
Brunei’s Public Works Department (PWD), which falls under the Ministry of Development, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JSY Systems and its consortium partner Autodesk Inc., to implement the e-Government project ‘Integrated Document Production System’ (IDPS). The MoU mandates JSY Systems to oversee the project management, design, supply, delivery, installation, integration, testing, training, commissioning and maintenance of software, hardware and other related services for the implementation of the IDPS project. The project is worth US$7.5mn, and is expected to be complete in September 2007.
The IDPS project would provide a technology and process platform enabling the PWD architects, engi-neers, designers and project managers to utilise world-class standardised processes. Particularly, designers involved in public infrastructure would be able to do more concurrent design activities utilising the IDPS. A new platform would also be introduced for the local construction industry in the project tendering process.
