A worldwide revolution in information and communications technologies is currently occurring. The Internet, the personal computer, the mobile phone and other modern communication devices are fundamentally changing our lives affecting the way we work, learn and interact.

Traditionally, interactions between a citizen or business and a Government agency used to take place in Government offices and with the emergence of information and communication technologies, it is possible to service citizens more efficiently and practically through a service kiosk or a personal computer, for instance.

E-Government refers to the use by Government agencies of information technologies (such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet and mobile computing) to transform relations with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government, for:

q       better delivery of Government services to citizens;

q       improved interactions with business and industry;

q       citizen empowerment through access to information; and

q       more efficient Government management.

The resulting benefits can be greater convenience, increased transparency, revenue growth, cost reductions and less corruption.

E-Government encompasses the electronic delivery of quality services to the citizens and the business community while at the same time facilitating inter- and intra- Governmental exchange of information in an effective and efficient manner. Analogous to e-commerce, which allows businesses to transact with each other more efficiently (B2B) and brings customers closer to businesses (B2C), e-Government aims to make the interaction between Government and citizens (G2C), Government and business enterprises (G2B), and inter-agency relationships (G2G) more friendly, convenient, transparent, and cost-effective.

E-Government presents Mauritius with tremendous opportunities to move forward in the 21st century with higher quality and cost-effective Government services and gives rise to a better relationship between Mauritian citizens and the Government.