E-government and open government in Bahrain

A couple of weeks ago I shared the results of the 2010 United Nations E-Government survey and noted that Bahrain, through focused investment and strategic planning, had moved from 42nd place in 2008 to 13th in 2010.  I decided to reach out via Twitter to those in the region to find what people think about the progress in e-government and open government.   What follows are my questions as well as the answers of many living in and around Bahrain.  Please note that these Twitter responses have been edited to add clarity to the sometimes cryptic nature of Twitter responses.

Q.  What are your thoughts regarding open government and e-government in Bahrain? Thank you

Q.  @JohnFMoore:  For open government, is Bahrain improving as quickly as it is with e-government?

• @aalman81:   We still have a while to go before achieving full open government but we are moving in that direction.
• @Khaleejia:  E-goverment projects is one of the major projects being invested in, working to diversify internet providers to lower costs.   Nevertheless prices of internet provision remains somewhat high and providers must be encouraged to reduce them.
• @ferix6:  Open government is gaining more importance and Bahrain has plans to develop in this area by exposing a number of datasets
• @JohnFMoore:  Excellent news! Remember that open government goes behind open data, collaboration with citizens is also important
• @Hamadalmalki:  Check out qaa.bh for public reports on performance of government and private education/training provider

Q.  @JohnFMoore:  Is Bahrain strategic in its approach to e-government?

• @moalkhalifa:  Until recently e-government initiatives by ministries were done in a largely disorganized fashion, with no semblance or unity of purpose.  It is worth noting that annual awards ceremonies encourage ministries to compete online.  However there is still a lack of effective communication, and no cohesive grand design or effective designer.  By this I mean often the extent of e-government is left to behest of how enlightened specific ministers and civ servants are.  The two most involved organizations at ministerial level are the EDB and the Bahrain eGovernment Authority
• @JohnFMoore:  Ah… A strategic plan, a grand design, is critical for long-term success.  Is there a Minister for e-government?
• @Khaleejia:  Remember we do not pay taxes hence its difficult to enforce higher levels of transparency; government services are free.
• @JohnFMoore:  Do ministers in these organizations use Twitter? Would love to chat with them to learn their thoughts as well
• @moalkhalifa:  The only Minister I know actively using Twitter is @khalidalkhalifa – also see Minister of State For Foreign Affairs @albaharna

Afterwards, Mohamed Al Khalifa (@moalkhalifa) created a twitter list of Bahrain institutions, check it out. 

Bahrain is clearly making the moves necessary on the e-government front and is becoming more serious about the use of open government as well.  It will be interesting to watch how it evolves over the coming years.