With 203 e-Services are available through four channels, the Kingdom of Bahrain announced the successful completion of the BD30 million e-Government National Strategy 2007-10, senior Government officials said on Monday.
The eGovernment transactions cost 90 fils while in the traditional method the range is between BD3to BD6.5, saving between 30 times to 65 times.
Addressing a Press Conference, Shaikh Ahmed Bin Atteyatallah Al Khalifa, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Minister Responsible for the Telecommunications Sector said the eGovernment Authority successfully accomplished the main objectives of the National Strategy for 2007-2010.
“To be the eGovernment leader committed to provide all Government services that are integrated, best-in-class and available to all through their channels of choice helping Bahrain transform as the finest country in GCC to visit, live, work and do business,” the Minister said.
The Minister hailed the eGovernment Authority achievements, particularly the global achievement of the Kingdom of Bahrain according to the United Nations eGovernment Readiness Report 2010 as Bahrain was ranked in the 1st in Middle East, 3rd in Asia, and 13th Worldwide.
The strategy helped in achieving the launch of 203 eservices through four channels i.e. eGovernment Portal, Mobile Gateway, eServices Centers, and National Contact Center.
“I am proud to stand here today to announce that we have accomplished one of the most important milestones of the national strategy that we set three years ago, tone by completing 203 hundred eServices and make them available through various channels,” he added.
“This achievement will be a strong factor to consolidate the Kingdom of Bahrain position to gain even higher leading rank in the field of public services and procedures, particularly after the global achievement of the Kingdom according to the United Nations eGovernment Readiness Report 2010 as Bahrain was ranked the 1st in Middle East, 3rd in Asia and 13th worldwide. Since that achievement, Bahrain has become a focal point of meetings and field visits by many countries with the aim to closely study the successful experience of the Kingdom in this field.”
“The eGovernment Authority has managed to realize numerous momentous achievements all over the previous three years by its approach in implementing the national eGovernment strategy. These efforts – aligned with collective efforts of various governmental entities, – aim to strengthen the position of Bahrain on the world map of eGovernment, contribute to boost the economic growth, and so will be a collective contribution to realize Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 which focuses on strengthening Bahrain global competitiveness capacity and boosting the economic development, and locally offering eGovernment services for all with high level of quality, fairness and transparency,” Shaikh Ahmed added.
“The informative directives and continuous support from Shaikh Mohammad bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology have major role in realizing these important achievements and meeting the challenges all through the implementation plan”, he added.
“In cooperation with ministries and other governmental entities, the eGovernment Authority involved in continuous work to develop service channels that are varied and easy-to-use by all groups. As a result we have succeeded, based on the objectives of the previous strategy, to launch all channels including the eGovernment Portal, Mobile Gateway, eService Centers, and Self-service Kiosks. These channels enable users to utilize government services round the clock with transparency and privacy “.
“The eGovernment Authority completed 200 government eServices and these wide-ranging services include payment, enquiry, general information, appointment, general complaints, posting suggestion, and students’ exam results and other services that are valuable for citizens and residents for all social and age groups, businesses and visitors to the Kingdom of Bahrain through the above-mentioned channels”.
“The eGovernment services are distinctively comprehensive in nature to meet the requirements of all, irrespective of their age, income, or education, and no matter whether being students, doctors, lawyers, housewives or expats,” he added.
“We always seek to figure out public requirements and needs in an innovative and easy manner. In the eGovernment Authority, we do not merely seek to offer eServices but we are devoted to maintain high standards of service in terms of quality and security of information”.
Al Qaed stressed that the strategy and its objectives are based on depth research on public needs.
The awareness of the eGovernment has increased from 25% only to 77% for individuals, 96% for business sector and by 100% in government sector. The usage of the eGovernment services also increased from 7% to 47% for individuals, 85% for business sector, and 92% for the business sector. This is the result of the comprehensive awareness and media campaigns utilizing a mix of modern and traditional media tools, in addition to seeking public opinions for practical applications,” he added.