Singapore and Kuwait Co-operate to Accelerate e-Government Planning

Bilateral relations between Singapore and Kuwait hit another positive note as the two countries signed a second Memorandum of Understanding on e-Government cooperation. The second MOU was signed by His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Minister of Communications and Health of the State of Kuwait and Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts of the Republic of Singapore.

Under the second MOU, the renewed relationship will look towards two new areas of co-operation. Singapore will serve as an Advisor to Kuwait on Information Technology and e-Government matters, while Kuwait and Singapore will also work together to select suitable private sector suppliers to implement projects identified under the e-Government Blueprint. In particular, Singapore will assist Kuwait in the drafting of the RFP (Request for Proposals) specifications at the pre-tendering stage; and will assist in the evaluation of RFP submissions and recommend suitable e-Government solution providers at the tendering stage.

The increased co-operation on e-government from both countries will forge closer relations, allowing e-government specialists in the public and private sectors of both countries to find new opportunities for collaboration. This will in turn contribute to respective socio-economic development and help to enhance the competitive edge for both countries.

The inking of the second MOU between Singapore and Kuwait on e-Government cooperation came nearly a year after the first MOU was signed. The first MOU focused on promoting dialogue on e-Government issues to identify ways to accelerate development for Kuwait and forming working groups from both public and private sectors of both countries to collaborate together.

The close collaboration between the two countries was partly the result of a visit by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait when he visited Singapore in July 2004. He expressed interest for both countries to strengthen bilateral trade and economic links with each other to then-Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Goh Chok Tong. The result of their discussion then led to the signing of the first MOU on 15th September 2004 as both parties agreed to cooperate in e-Government planning.

The MOU represented a significant milestone in terms of strengthening both countries' bilateral relations. The agreement was more than just a transfer of technology and best practices - it was also "an exchange of ideas, culture and fostering of friendships between the people of our two countries," according to Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts of the Republic of Singapore.