The e-government enterprise was launched by virtue of the Emiri decree no.(25) of the year 2002. The mission of this enterprise is to achieve the highest possible efficiency of performance in the government transactions for its beneficiaries, namely: citizens, residents, visitors, the government organs and the business sector. By providing accurate electronic accessible information, each of these beneficiaries shall be able to conclude their transactions in a short time and with little effort, and obtain the necessary information about the rules and regulations they need to know. Likewise, by introducing this electronic service, the government has obtained parallel gains evident in speeding its transactions, modernizing its performance system and catching up with developments in the field of information technology; thus, opening a wider chance for assuming a prominent position in the world's economic activity.

The electronic services offered currently are: visa services, traffic violations services, water and electricity services and the Zakat Fund. Work is being undertaken currently to introduce 37 new services that include 20 major ones accounting for 74% of the total governmental transactions. The lishment of the infrastructure shall be implemented by using the PKI system shall be established with view to providing an internationally recognized mechanism such as the "Smart Card" and electronic buttons in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior. Furthermore, the e-government looks forward to introducing 131 and the subsequent enforcement of information community new services through what is called "Qatar's Electronic Gate" which shall empower each user to attain all information, services and knowledge regarding each domain of life. According to the intended plan, work is expected to finish at the end of the year 2004.

The enterprise of the e-government has been welcomed by the Qatari people and government. The Ministry of Interior, for instance, was among the first ministries to cooperate and utilize the electronic system due to its available systems and integrated infrastructure. The e-government hopes that other ministries will prepare to connect themselves to "Qatar's Electronic Gate" so as to provide citizens, residents and the business sector with their services electronically. So far, around 1100 transactions have been accomplished through "Qatar's Electronic Gate" , but this number does not represent the target population of the e-government but this was expected as a result of not publicizing the service or undertaking a promotion campaign with the intention of providing a better chance for trying it out first on a limited number of people. As, the necessary infrastructure has been established and launched through the e-government web site and it is going to be followed by a promotion campaign is going to be undertaken to spread awareness among the public of this service in coordination with the concerned parties.

Security of Electronic Transactions

The e-government is working in coordination with the competent parties in the country to issue "The Electronic Law" aiming at regulating electronic transactions and restraining any transgressions so as to establish confidence and a sense of responsibility among the public in their electronic transactions. Furthermore, it aims at facilitating the process and obtaining official recognition of the extracts of the electronic transactions.