The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MLSA) in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Finance and Industry (MOFI) have taken a crucial step towards a national system of e-Government with an announcement that brings closer the much heralded e-Expat system. Both ministries confirmed that the process of implementing the new system would begin today, effectively opening the way for all the formalities of applying for residence visas, work permits, labour and health cards to be carried out online, transforming current procedures.
The announcement followed a meeting in Abu Dhabi earlier today – one of a series planned which signaled the roll-out of the project into relevant Ministries and departments. Top officials involved in bringing the MOFI-led project up to operational level met at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MLSA) to put the final touches to the implementation programme which will take the e-Expat system forward.
Those attending included H.E. Dr. Khaled Alkhazraji, Undersecretary at MLSA, H.E. Ahmad bin Khjoor, Assistant Secretary at MLSA, Muhammad Qambar, MOFI's Director of Information Systems, Dr. Muhammad Emir Mavani, e-Government expert, and representatives from e-Company, MOFI's partner in introducing e-Government nationwide.
Commenting on the meeting, Dr. Al Khazraji said: 'The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs was recently mandated by the e-Government steering committee to supervise and cooperate in the implementation of the e-Expat system. We take our role under this mandate very seriously and intend to be involved at every stage in paving the way for this new system that will revolutionise our working practices.'
'While today's announcement represents a huge step forward for e-Expat, which will impact on more than half the population of the country, it also marks an important stage in the bigger Federal Government project to establish e-Government nationwide,' AL Khazraji added.
Mr. Qambar confirmed that the meeting studied all the stages and mechanisms involved in getting e-Expat up and running. He said: 'The e-Expat system is an important step on the way towards a fully implemented and comprehensive system of e-Government.
'It provides an integrated access point that links the Ministries and Federal departments and establishes a central data base for the Federal Government. It will help clients register their information online, which in return, will reduce the pressure on the Ministries and government departments.'
There was also discussion at the meeting of the strategically important move of introducing national ID cards – which takes effect early next year and underpins the whole system of e-Government and particularly e-Expat. The intention is that a unique ID card number will be issued at the airport to every visitor to the country.
This number will serve as a reference to be used where necessary by ministries, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labor.
A comprehensive study of the ID system will shortly be submitted to officials.
Mr. Qambar confirmed that MOFI is on course with plans to eventually make all government services available through the e-Government system.
The e-government project is just one of four initiatives being driven by MOFI with the aim of creating greater efficiency and effectiveness in government operations. Total quality management, performance-based budgeting and executive training conducted in conjunction with Harvard University, are also being implemented as part of the government's high performance programme.
The e-government project draws on the experience of countries that have implemented similar programmes, such as Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
Autor: Anne-Birte Stensgaard
Quelle: AME Info, 30.11.2004
