Turkey

Turkey's e-government efforts received new emphasis in the last three years. The election of a new government brought forward an agenda including public sector modernisation using e-government. Turkey has since made considerable progress with e-government. This review identifies several strategic opportunities. One opportunity is to stimulate the provision of e-services and e-commerce by increasing access to high-speed Internet throughout the country. A second opportunity is to skip the initial stages of e-government applications -- characterised by isolated islands of development -- and instead promote a more "joined up" government. A third opportunity is to use the existing base of 46 million mobile telephones as a communication channel between the government and its citizens. The review also identifies several major challenges. One challenge is bridging the digital divide between urban and rural populations, men and women, and young and old. A second challenge is public sector modernisation in terms of increased transparency and accountability. A third challenge is making sure that investments in e-government are valuable, i.e. that benefits are larger than costs.

Summary and Proposals for Action Chapter 1. Introduction -E-Government Context -E-Government Development -Participation in EU E-Government Programmes -E-Government Development Level -E-Government Drivers -Public Sector Modernisation -Improving the Competitiveness of the Private Sector -Improving Quality of Life for Citizens Chapter 2. E-Government Challenges -Legislative and Regulatory Challenges -Budgetary Challenges -Internet Infrastructure -Internet Access and Use -User ICT Competencies and Skills -Basic Skills -Advanced ICT Skills Chapter 3. E-Government Leadership -Leadership is Crucial -Leadership Organisation -Four Major Policy Challenges -The Digital Divide -Local Government -Promoting a More Competitive Private Sector -Civil Society Participation -E-Government Strategies and Plans -Co-ordination of Projects Chapter 4. E-Government Implementation -E-Government is about Change -Implementation Challenges -Implementation Management -Monitoring, Oversight and Information -Organisational Structures -Local Government Collaboration -Centre of Competence ICT and Management Skills -Outsourcing Chapter 5. Collaboration Frameworks -Shared Data and Processes -Connectivity and Interoperability -Partnerships with the Private Sector Chapter 6. Outputs and Outcomes -Web sites and the E-Turkey Portal -E-Services -Management Information Annex A. Proposals for Action Annex B. Turkey E-Government Indicators Annex C. Turkey's Political and Administrative System Annex D. E-Government Reports, Strategies, Decisions and Acts Annex E. Synopsis of History and Key Decisions Annex F. Legislative Framework for the Information Society Annex G. Major E-Government Initiatives Annex H. E-Health in Turkey Annex I. Methodology Annex J. Glossary Annex K. Bibliography