2. Good Governance in Egypt “ Suggested areas for Improvement “ Dr. Mahmoud Gebril Napoli May 17-21/2004

3. Good Governance There is no single definition of what “Good Governance” is, as well as there are differences of opinion as to the norms and criteria for its measurement. Values such as accountability, transparency, participation, and equality are to some degree or another common in literature and writings in that subject.

4. According to the World Bank: “Good Governance is exercising that authority in ways that respect the integrity, rights, and needs of everyone within the state” The good governance relations should be studied within a framework based on two global values of special importance in the Middle-East region, namely; Inclusiveness and Accountability. While Inclusiveness relies on mechanisms that define and respect the basic rights for all, Accountability relies on transparency and quality of information.

5. Source: “Better Governance for Development in the Middle East and North Africa”, Overview, p 6.

6. Although the values of accountability and equality in treatment under law are not alien to the culture and heritage of the people of middle-eastern countries, it is found that those countries are noticeably poor in that regard and lie at the tail of the list (rating countries of the world on good governance).

8. Evaluation of Good Governance in Egypt Accountability mechanisms are Missing in Egyptian government performance. Consequently there exist multiples of modes of corruption such as misuse of public funds, bribes, tax fraud, misuse of power and authority, favoritism and ascription in selecting government leaders and in providing government services. International Reports indicate the following:

9. The bureaucratic establishment suffers from massiveness and rigidity that frequently hinders attempts of modernization and improvement, moreover the executive authority is severely centralized. Lack of reliable statistical data, fuzziness of information and hiding it from society. N.G.O s and civil society organizations are still inactive in political and developmental activities. their role is still charitable at large.

10. Source: The Arab World Competitiveness Report 2002-2003 4.544Corruption 1.875 Red Tape 4.734 Rule of Law 3.143 Quality of Government ScoreRank (out of 75 Countries) Egypt

11. Source: Transparency International, Global Corruption Report 2004. 3.078LEBANON 4.350GREECE 6.923FRANCE 3.370EGYPT 2.688ALGERIA Score Rank (out of 133 countries) Country Corruption Perceptions Index 2003

12. Source: World Bank. Percentile Rank (0-100), 2002

19. The Transfer to the e-Government In response to the need for adapting to global changes towards knowledge-based societies, in attempt to bridge the digital gap, and due to international pressure calling for democracy, participatory, and good governance, the Egyptian government started its project of delivering its services to individual citizens, business persons and investors through the internet:

20. In October 1999 the Ministry of Communication and Information was established. In July 2001 the electronic government project was officially started, it is expected to end by 2007. The project is implemented in collaboration with Microsoft and Oracle in several directions as follows: To establish the Information Infrastructure, which encompass the laws and regulations that govern the different aspects of the electronic work. Establishing the government web site which represents the official portal for handling requests and delivering services. Some services were put into action such as payment of telephone and utility bills.

21. Automation of government financial and administrative applications. Which started by applications of the Ministry of Communication and Information will be applied in other ministries and government offices. Development of local government services to reduce the need to travel to the capital or to large cities, this initiative was started in the Governorate of the Red Sea and in the Governorate of Alexandria. Establishing and updating economic and commercial databases. Encouraging the acquisition of PCs by families and individuals by establishing a credit sale mechanism where installments are collected in conjunction with the telephone bills for the benefit of PC selling companies.

22. In January 2004 Egypt’s Government Services Portal started officially offering information to tourists and receiving complaints, payment of bills, acquiring official documents such as birth and death certificates, Ids, renewal of vehicle license, and the like. In April 2004 the law of electronic signature was passed by the Egyptian parliament. In May 2004, the high speed internet service was offered at a reduced price making it widely affordable by individuals and companies. Facilitating the logging to the internet service for individuals and small companies. Investigating solutions for problems that face electronic payment since most Egyptians do not use credit cards.

23. Priorities for Intervention   Policy and system Oriented approach.   Strategic Grass- Rooted Cultural approach Two broad areas for intervention:

24. Priorities The introduction of accountability mechanisms. Government officials should develop the feeling of being accountable to the society. There should be criteria for good governance that are in line with the culture. Transparency and quality of data, without these virtues, accountability shall be difficult to apply since weaknesses and deficiencies can not be exposed and corrective actions cannot be taken. Introduce major changes in the bureaucratic machine to facilitate the improvement efforts. Facilitate the establishment of non-governmental organizations and remove the obstacles facing their effective participation in social and economic developmental initiatives and in preparing the individuals for political participation. Continuous education and training should become an approved mechanism supported by the government for continual development of individuals for active participation in a knowledge-based society. There are five priority items, which are more or less on the same level of significance:

25. At a more strategic level The socialisation Process institutions should be re - engineered and re - built.