IfG.CC - The Institute for eGovernment

A new online system that aims to reduce the time required in obtaining commercial registrations and business-associated licences has been launched by Industry and Commerce Minister Zayed Al Zayani.

The new system (www.business.gov.bh), available on bahrain.bh and the official website of the ministry (www.moic.gov.bh), was developed in co-operation with the eGovernment Authority (eGA) and other relevant governmental entities.

Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Premier and Chairman of Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure launched the updated Phase II of the unified "Permit" licensing system in the presence of ministers, officials and members of the committee.

Launched at the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa the Prime Minister and with support and follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, the 'Permit' licensing system links the various ministries and directorates and had been launched by the Informatics and e-Government Authority in 2013 aimed to ensure the policy of governance, transparency adopted by the government in all of its transactions positions the Kingdom of Bahrain on the right track of sustainable economic development through development of policies and regulations capable of accomplishing top-notch quality and efficiency.

Chief of Hajj and Umrah Affairs Shaikh Abdul Nasser Abdulla reiterated the Ministry's keen interest to provide the best services for all the citizens, in cooperation with the e-Government Authority, adding that the new service aims to remind pilgrims of the need to join a licensed Hajj Caravan in order to avert any legal problems.

Top world renowned speakers have been announced to be part of the International eGovernment Forum 2018 which will be held next month.

Leading speakers from some of the top global companies as well as governmental sectors will be part of this year’s edition, it is learnt.

Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa has requested all government bodies to make use of the new e-complaints and suggestions system (Tawasul) to increase government performance and maintain transparency.

The system, introduced by the e-Government Authority (EGA) in close coordination with the Bahrain Centre for Excellence and other government entities, aims to allow the public to readily share their feedback on the quality of government services by submitting complaints about shortcomings and failures to address issues. The system will also act as a unified platform for interaction between all government bodies and the public.

Education Minister Dr. Majid bin Ali Al Nuaimi has announced that school results will be released electronically, after their official approval. He said that the decision not to distribute paper results and certificates as usual is in line with the Education Ministry’s keenness to implement the precautionary measures taken by the Kingdom to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19), especially social distancing, as well as its efforts to transition to electronic services.

The Minister indicated that the results will be available on the educational portal edunet.bhfor all school levels, adding that third intermediate and secondary school students will also be able to receive their certificates via their Microsoft365 accounts. Graduation and good conduct certificates will also be e-mailed to secondary education graduates, the Minister added.

Deputy Premier and Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology chairman Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa will open the event.

He will also honour winners of the eGovernment Excellence Award.

The money was ordered by His Majesty King Hamad to mark the 10th anniversary of the National Action Charter on Monday, a document that paved the way for wide-ranging reforms.

Families can now apply for the BD1,000 grant through the newly-created website www.fsupport.gov.bh.

Shaikh Nasser highlighted the success of the recent provision of a number of electronic traffic services which attained a great welcome, asserting the keenness of the Traffic Directorate to cope with the technology development and provide the best services to the public.

He stressed that the committee aims at providing government services via electronic media and modern technology tools to achieve the highest degree of transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, quality and performance. He added the Committee also aims to reduce the cost of these services for the beneficiaries, pointing out that this issue requires from all concerned parties to show full interest in the application of this strategy to promote Bahrain's status in this regard.

The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) has activated both online services in cooperation with the Electronic Government Authority.

“The CSB stopped issuing the traditional paper statements and launched the e-salary service in November 2009”, IT Systems director Ahmed Abdulrahman Al-Matawa’a said.

The MOU was signed by Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Qaed the CEO of the eGovernment Authority and Mrs. Sabah Al Moayyed the General Manager of Eskan Bank in the presence of a number of officials and executives from both entities.

Held from 12 - 13 November 2012, the event encompassed the participation of IT leaders and experts, along with a number of distinguished speakers in the field of 'smart technology'.

Representing H.H. the Crown Prince, Kuwaiti Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Minister H.E. Jamal Al Shihab honored the eGovernment Authority by handing over the Shield of Honor to eGovernment Authority Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mohammad Al Qaed. Other entities and personalities who significantly contributed to the ICT field were also awarded; including the Board of Trustees H.H. Shaikh Salem Al Ali earning the Informatics Award, the World Summit Award Kuwait's Central Agency for Information and Technology; Middle East Excellence Awards Institute of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kuwait Electronic Award.

The Minister added that the Bahrain Center for Excellence and the e-government will cooperate in this area, where the Authority will provide an e-government communications center, meanwhile the Advisory Group will provide the Bahrain Center for Excellence with methodologies for classification and analysis of the proposals.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology (SCICT) stated: "It is my pleasure to launch Silah Gulf which is established in line with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, through achieving the strategic objectives of the eGovernment Authority Program dedicated to provide eServices at the Kingdom of Bahrain, as Silah Gulf will be providing contact centre services to the public and private sectors, locally and internationally".

"Our previous experience in the eService arena is an evidence of the initiative's effectiveness; the initiative will help extend our services, easily and readily to both citizens and expatriates at all times," stated Dr. Mohammed Taher Al Qattan, Director of Religious Affairs at the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs and Waqf. "The services received remarkable demand and extensively helped reduce the number of customers who physically approach the ministry to complete their paperwork." He also added that the Ministry is always keen to provide high-quality services through the use of technology, in collaboration with the eGovernment Authority.

They are the outcome of co-operation between the General Organisation for Youth and Sport (Goys) and the eGovernment Authority and part of a national project to eliminate computer illiteracy and build an information society.

The Bahrain IT Expo 2014, a continuation of the three-day forum will be hosted by the Bahrain International Circuit. More than 20 recognised speakers and 700 internationally-renowned delegates attend the event.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) Bahrain has announced its support for the Bahrain International eGovernment Forum 2015 as the event's 'Platinum Sponsor'.

Being held under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister and the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology chairman Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, the annual forum will provide an integrated technical programme, featuring a number of internationally renowned keynote speakers.