(MENAFN - Jordan Times) The government will not introduce new e-government services this year due to a lack of funds, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology said on Tuesday.
"We do not expect new e-services to be introduced to the public in 2012 because there is not sufficient money to do so and in light of the current economic conditions we cannot proceed with new services this year," Haitham Qaisi, the ministry's spokesperson, told The Jordan Times.
"During 2012, we will focus on enhancing and upgrading the current e-services that are offered by different public agencies such as the Greater Amman Municipality and the Traffic Department," he said over the phone on Tuesday.
Currently, e-government services are provided by several public agencies, including the justice, interior and industry and trade ministries and the Borders and Residency Permits Department.
These services include allowing people in the Kingdom to obtain security clearances and background check certificates, renew professional and commercial registrations at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, renew business licences, inquire about traffic tickets and check weather forecasts online.
Qaisi added that the government will expand the project that enables people to apply for security clearances and background check certificates online to cover the entire country during this year.
"The e-service currently covers Amman, but we already have the financial allocations to expand the project this year so citizens from all 12 governorates can use the service," Qaisi said.
Applicants can access this service through the website of the Jordan e-Government project at www.jordan.gov.jo.
In 2006, the government formally inaugurated the e-government programme with the intention of streamlining bureaucracy and enhancing access to the Internet in rural areas.
Qaisi said these services play a crucial role in increasing Internet penetration in Jordan, where the percentage of Internet users reached 53 per cent by the end of March.
