Foreword

Rapid digital developments pose a challenge to governments seeking to use new technologies and data to provide more effective services to citizens and businesses. The OECD Digital Government Review assesses the opportunities and challenges linked to Panama’s digital agenda.

In recent years, the Government of Panama has invested in the digitalisation of the public sector for improved efficiency and responsiveness. It has laid the foundations for successful digital government by improving the operational effectiveness of the National Authority for Government Innovation (Autoridad Nacional para la Innovación Gubernamental, AIG). Panama should now focus on developing expertise and shared capabilities throughout the public sector. This review suggests a number of actions to support Panama’s efforts to improve social well-being and suitable economic growth. These include measures to enhance the strategic use of digital tools and data to create a competitive, inclusive and cohesive economic environment; support productivity; and foster citizens’ and business’ trust in government institutions.

This review was prepared at the request of the Republic of Panama. The importance of this policy area for the government is demonstrated by Panama’s voluntary adherence to the OECD Recommendation of the Council on Digital Government Strategies in 2017. The review builds upon the analytical framework provided by the Recommendation and on the experience of the OECD developed through similar projects over the last 15 years. The review also brought together experts and policy practitioners from several countries to provide peer insights.

This review and Panama’s experiences also contribute to the global policy debate on the digitalisation challenges and opportunities across different policy areas, including digital government. This work is part of the Going Digital Project, which is the OECD flagship initiative designed to address this policy issue.

Foreword