Moving towards digital transformation, the Government of El Salvador has entered into an agreement with tech giant Google. The Salvadoran government’s commitment to modernization and innovation is taking a giant leap forward through this seven-year partnership, which aims to digitize various governmental processes and projects.
Google announced yesterday the formation of a strategic alliance with El Salvador, a collaboration that will utilize Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) tools. GDC is a comprehensive portfolio of hardware and software solutions that extends Google Cloud’s infrastructure and services. This move positions El Salvador as the first Latin American government to harness the power of Google’s advanced cloud technology, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s digital evolution.
Under this partnership, Google Cloud is set to become El Salvador’s strategic innovation partner, playing a pivotal role in securely digitizing governmental processes and projects. The scope of this initiative includes electronic invoicing, permit management, and various other transformative endeavors. The foundation for this transformation will be Google Distributed Cloud, allowing for a streamlined and secure transition.
“This collaboration with Google Cloud signifies a significant step in our journey towards a fully digital government,” explained an official statement. The administration under President Nayib Bukele has been actively pursuing this digital agenda since 2019. One of the key components of this initiative, as outlined by the Ministry of Economy (Minec), has been the simplification and digitalization of administrative procedures.
In the initial phase of this ambitious vision, over 600 procedures were streamlined with an investment of $5.8 million. Remarkably, more than 400 of these procedures experienced a remarkable 60% reduction in response time, while over 100 were successfully digitized. This progressive approach reflects the government’s commitment to efficient and citizen-centric governance.
Notably, in December 2022, President Bukele’s administration launched an Electronic Invoicing System in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This system incorporated cutting-edge technology to enhance information exchange and taxation processes within the Tax Administration. The system also offers a user-friendly platform accessible 24/7, catering to businesses of all sizes.
An additional milestone in El Salvador’s digital journey was the introduction of a certified electronic signature service by the Central Reserve Bank (BCR) in July this year. This service holds validity for a wide array of documents, including contracts, legal papers, administrative documents, declarations, invoices, and personal applications.
The partnership between El Salvador and Google signifies not only a technological advancement but also a strategic step towards efficient governance and improved public services. As El Salvador continues on its path to becoming a digital government, this collaboration is poised to drive innovation and set a precedent for digital transformation in the region.