Main operation principles and importance of E-government

In recent years, formation of E-government is considered one of the factors which is developing  democracy  further in developed countries.

E-government through the use of modern information technologies creates conditions for providing information and e-services to all citizens residing in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, legal and physical persons, foreign citizens and stateless persons by government bodies.

The main objective of the created opportunities is to reduce the “distance” between civil servants and citizens in provision of social services, as well as simplify and make these relations transparent. The widespread use of electronic services by public authorities, increasing their number and improving their quality and enhancing citizens’ satisfaction with the services are means of achieving this goal. In accordance with the international practice, the E- government  portal, which is organized on the basis of “single window” principle  where e-services  are  provided by government agencies,  is applied to organize contacts between  citizens and public authorities in a more appropriate way.

The formation  of e-government in our country is based on the international practice and a legal framework for its activity was established  by the Decree of the President of the Republic of  Azerbaijan “On the approval of  State Program (E-Azerbaijan)  for the development of communication and information technologies in Azerbaijan Republic  in 2010-2012”,  and by  the Decree on approval  of “Some measures  for  provision of electronic services by government agencies”  dated 23 May 2011 and other normative legal acts.

The Ministry as the coordinator of the work done in this area  is working closely with other government  agencies  for the formation of e-government  and is performing  activities  for  the  creation of appropriate infrastructure. Today the country has National Certification Services Center for the use of e-signatures, infrastructure providing information exchange between information systems of government agencies was built and E-government portal was developed and launched. Taking advantage of these, all government agencies are now able to provide electronic services to citizens.

Key operation principles of E-government:

● Compliance with the requirements of current legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan;

● Implementation of state policy in the field of informatization, protection of state and national interests;

● Ensuring opportunities for protection of completeness, authenticity, relevance and security of the information provided to users and obtaining it in a simple and prompt way;

● Division of powers and responsibilities among government agencies

The importance of E-government:

● raising the level of activities carried out and facilitation of access to them by expanding the use of modern technologies in public administration;

● increasing the efficiency of government agencies and local self-government bodies and improving the quality of the electronic services provided;

● optimization of the e-services provided to users by government agencies  and  simplification of their implementation  procedures;

● ensuring free access, the authenticity, completeness and reliability of the information presented to users via e-services;

● maximum reduction of time spent to find out and obtain information according to user’s request;

● availability of the electronic services offered throughout the country regardless of the user’s geographical location.

Taking advantage of the opportunities of the virtual space, modern technologies, high level of informatization in government agencies, the E-government provides services offered to citizens in a qualitative and new form.

Main advantages of E-government

1. for the government

Increasing rationality of the activities of state bodies by the wide application of modern technologies;

Reducing budgetary expenditures, reduction of time and costs in rendering state services;

Creation of a centralized data storage space for state bodies and ensuring its security;

Establishment of a system of state management and municipal management that can be controlled effectively and transparently

2. for citizens

Citizens’ active participation in state management;

Simplifying  citizens’ contacts with government agencies, implementation in a more appropriate and flexible form;

Convenience in fully satisfying information needs;

Enabling people with disabilities to gain access to state services  

3. for business sector

Establishment of relations with state authorities effectively and efficiently, reducing  costs

Increase of economic activity, competitive ability and provide better access to foreign markets.