National ICT Policies
Overview
The Panamanian government has developed a comprehensive plan, e-panama.gob.pa, that incorporates information and telecommunications technology, focuses on social and economic development, and seeks to increase participation of the population in issues of national importance. The e-panama plan includes e-government, e-education, e-economy, e-health, and e-democracy.
The objectives of the plan include:
1. Making public services offered to citizens and business more effective and efficient
2. Strive to reach an optimum level of economic productivity
3. Increasing the quality of education
4. Strive to make all public health programs beneficial to all segments of the population
5. Achieve higher levels of competitiveness in both national and international commerce
6. Achieve greater transparency (4)
Fifteen specific projects have been planned for 2003, and 13 for 2004. (5)
2003 Projects
8 projects aimed at improving the quality of government services provided to citizens and businesses
4 educational projects
4 projects aimed to increase economic efficiency and competitiveness, focusing on small and medium sized businesses
3 projects aimed at building and integrating digital strategies and programs
1 telemedicine project
1 project aimed at improving society's quality of life
2004 Projects
3 health projects dealing with improvement of administrative services
3 projects that will offer public access to social and economic information
3 projects aimed at improving public security
1 project that aims to inform the public about the offerings of the e-Panamá plan
1 housing project
Specific projects aim to:
Provide an interactive portal for public schools
Offer virtual training/distance learning in technical areas of study, for remote locations online. These would include plumbing, electricity, mechanics, electronics, gardening, dressmaking, etc.
Implement telemedicine projects at different areas of the country
Completing links to portals for all government institutions
Create an electronic payments system, accessible to all citizens
Create transaction capabilities enabling citizens to pay their monthly water bills online, at the IDAAN portal
Handle import/export permits and licenses of specific products online, throughout the Ministry of Agricultural Development website.
Create a web presence for the Public Registry, and allow transaction capabilities so that citizens can order documents online.
Allow renewal of driving licenses online
Allow for payment of fines online (such as speeding tickets)
Optimize, and increase security features on the national passport
Report on the technical infrastructures of all public entities
Government Sectors Online
The e-panama plan has already established a web presence for all significant sectors of the government, including ministries and important organizations. Also, the Panamanian government plans to implement an e-commerce site for the procurement of all products and services needed by the government in the near future
Sectors of the Government with an Established Web Presence:
Presidency: www.presidencia.gob.pa
Ministry of Agricultural Development: www.mida.gob.pa
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: www.mici.gob.pa
Ministry of Economy and Finances: www.mef.gob.pa
Ministry of Education: www.meduc.gob.pa
Ministry of External Relations: www.mire.gob.pa
Ministry of Government and Justice: www.gobiernoyjusticia.gob.pa
Ministry of Health: www.minsa.gob.pa
Ministry of Housing: www.minsa.gob.pa
Ministry of Labor: www.mivi.gob.pa
Ministry of Public Works: www.mop.gob.pa
In conclusion, the government has a clear vision for the country's information society. It has clearly established achievable goals, both on a short term and along term basis. So far, most goals for the year have been met. All websites for each government sector have been created, and most of them now offer downloading capabilities. New reports are being added as they become available, and most importantly the public now has easy access to important government publications.