The government plans to issue visit visas to businessmen and other visitors via the Internet beginning from October 2003, says Al-Rai Al-Aam daily quoting a reliable source from the Ministry of Interior. "This vital project is being launched to coincide with the start of the e-government conference, which will be held under the patronage of the Prime Minister, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah," the source added. "The Ministry of Interior has chosen to approach the e-government project with the launch of its own service via the Internet - the issuance of visit visas - to promote and activate the national economy and to facilitate transactions of businessmen and others who wish to visit the country," the source said. The Acting Undersecretary of Interior, Major-General Abdullah Al-Fares, was quoted as saying, "Businessmen and others will be able to apply for visit visas through the e-government website in line with the ministry's intention to use the advance technology."
"The ministry plans to evaluate and promote the national economy and measure its success while keeping in mind security measures. The service will be later extended to cover other transactions of the Immigration Department to citizens and expatriates," Al-Fares added. The Director of Information Systems Center at the Ministry and member of e-government committee, Fahd Jaafar, will supervise the project.
Quelle: Arab Times, 05.09.2003
