Gul honors state institutions with best information technology usage

The Cankaya Presidential Palace yesterday hosted a ceremony honoring state institutions making the best use of information technology and the Internet. Jointly organized by the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) and the Turkish Information Technology Foundation (TBV), the Seventh eTR (e-Turkey) awards were presented to the Customs Undersecretariat, Prime Ministry Social Aid and Solidarity Foundation (SYDV), and Soke Municipality, a district in the Aegean province of Aydin, among other recipients. The Customs Undersecretariat was awarded for its Customs Collection System, while the SYDV was honored for its Social Aid Information System, and the Soke Municipality for its Smart City Automation System. Officials from these institutions got their prizes from President Abdullah Gul. Addressing the awards ceremony, Gul said the eTR awards were a good tool for promoting effective use of information technology, especially among young Turks, which is why the awards are now handed out at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. Also speaking at the meeting, TUSIAD head Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag thanked Gul for his support, calling growing interest in the event promising. TUSIAD board member Hamdi Akın told the ceremony that Turkey becoming an information-savvy society would boost its prosperity. The Turkish Presidency's official website has recently enjoyed remarkable popularity, and last year attracted 2.5 million visitors to become the number three such site, behind only the official websites of US President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Efficient use of Internet technologies in public services can boost the efficiency of public services, enabling state institutions to cut costs and red tape. Under a major Turkish e-state project, all state institutions are working to effectively incorporate the Internet and information technology into their work.