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Notícias
Information Technologies
2007-09-11
A study of Brown University graded Portugal in the seventh position of the e-Government ranking.
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A review by researchers at Brown University placed Portugal in the seventh position of the e-government strategy ranking. This review graded the governmental achievements in the use of information technologies regarding the exchange of information and services with citizens and companies.
The Brown University ranked 198 countries worldwide based on its e-government capability. To that purpose, the researchers analysed the governmental web sites according to several criteria, including available publications, databases, disability access, privacy, security and number of online services provided.
The seventh position achieved by Portugal is an outstanding result, especially when compared with the previous ranking, published in 2006. In one year, Portugal rose from the forty-eighth position to the seventh position and is presently the second best European country concerning e-government, following the Great Britain (in the 5th place). The highest places of the podium were awarded to South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and United States of America, respectively. Canada was sixth.
This accomplishment was especially due to the recent efforts of the Portuguese public authorities regarding the simplification of the public services’ procedures, namely through the programmes “Simplex” and “Ligar Portugal”. As a result of these programmes, it is now possible to request documents and public certificates online and to access to free online databases, such as the website of the official journal, containing the most recent statutes of law published. It was also created an electronic identity card, which gathers the relevant personal information in a single card, which will be rolled out in the coming years.
In what concerns businesses, the Portuguese Government has also approved a set of measures in order to simplify the activity of commercial undertakings and tax applications proceedings. Among other things, the programme “Empresa na Hora” has made it possible for investors to incorporate a corporation in a single day using electronic means and allowed the registration of trade names online. The filing of tax reports as well as of company reports can also be made online.
There are still many measures of the programme “Simplex” to be implemented in the future, which means that the Portuguese government will continue to promote the use of the e-Government tools to facilitate the life of its citizens and businesses. Among those measures, it is expected that the formalities for the acquisition of real estate will be simplified.
The restructuring of the Portuguese public services is creating a more favourable environment for investors in Portugal, by removing one of the traditional obstacles to the investment in our country. It is, therefore, likely that foreign companies will now consider Portugal a better place to invest.
© 2007 Macedo Vitorino & Associados
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