The e-Document Forum wrapped up its activities yesterday, under the sponsorship of Dr. Abdulrahman AlAthl, President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) which was organized by KACST. The forum lasted for two days, between the 10th and 11th of December, 2006. Many lectures were given during the forum that evolved around electronic document management, content management and the importance of content management. A number of Government sectors presented their trials in content management and e-document management.

Dr. Saad bin Othman Al-Qasabi, General Manager of Information Technology at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, introduced the Authority's experience in content management systems in a lecture entitled; "Practical Experience in Content Management and Web Portal Solutions", where he clarified that the SFDA seeks to exploit modern technology to provide outstanding service to beneficiaries. The Authority's main focus on this field is to build a paperless electronic information environment in accordance with the Saudi e-government project.

Dr. Al-Qasabi also presented the SFDA's achievements in the information technology field with focus on aspects related to e-document management by applying electronic solutions for outgoing and incoming documents. He also elaborated on the Authority's development of its intranet portal that provides electronic work services for employees, such as; human resources systems, financial systems, procurement systems, administrative and technical services.

As for the Authority's presence on the internet, the SFDA was keen on developing a website that provides services for its visitors. The Authority emphasized on exploiting modern technology to effectively manage its web content by all sectors of the Authority.

Dr. Al-Qasabi concluded his lecture with some of the obstacles and incentives faced by the SFDA in applying its electronic solutions aiming to benefit visitors and benefit from expert views in similar fields.