UK and Israel sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on digital government
The UK and Israel have committed to working together on digital government to help citizens, businesses and their respective economies.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the Israeli Prime Minister’s office by Liam Maxwell, Government Chief Technology Officer, on behalf of the UK Government Digital Service (GDS), and by Harel Locker, Director-General of the Israeli Prime Minister’s office.
The MoU states that the 2 countries will:
- exchange information and experiences around open markets, open standards and open source
- work together to make sure that each country has the capability and ability to develop digital public services
- develop other ways of working together internationally
Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said:
When I visited last year, I saw how Israel has a forward-thinking approach to digital innovation, just like the UK.
This government’s long-term plan is all about creating modern, digital public services that are so good people prefer to use them. So, we will look to find new ways of working with Israel’s impressive array of digital businesses and draw on its culture of entrepreneurship. There’s a great deal we can learn from one another.
Liam Maxwell, UK Government Chief Technology Officer, added:
Open markets with open standards everyone can use is a key approach the UK is taking to building a digital government based on user needs.
The MoU will allow the UK and Israel to cooperate on the exchange of information and experiences in the areas of open markets, open standards and open source.
Harel Locker, Director-General of the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, said:
The British experience in the field of digital services is important and extensive, and this agreement will allow Israel to benefit from that experience. On our part, we offer the British and the D8 countries Israeli innovation and creativity, including in cyber security.