Singapore to upgrade, unify e-gov systems

SINGAPORE -- Singapore officials last week announced plans to spend 2 billion Singapore dollars ($1.3 billion U.S.) to overhaul the country's e-government systems in order to provide citizens with easier online access to services and data.

Government agencies in Singapore already offer most of their services over the Internet. But "we have to move beyond bundling information and services at the front end to re-engineering proc-esses at the back end," said Raymond Lim, second minister for finance and foreign affairs.

The five-year improvement plan, called iGov2010, will integrate systems to provide access to most data via a single Web site, according to Lim.

He said the plan will also improve online access for users without personal Internet access by increasing from five to 25 the number of CitizenConnect centers, which offer free Internet access and assistance.