Central Government, Technology

Bahrain launches e-govt portal

By Alice Kok | 4 November 2008

Bahrain has introduced a new e-government gate website as an outcome of a study conducted to cater to the needs of the public through streamlining e-government services procedures.

View photos

Related Articles

• Bali steps up e-government plans
• India launches national environment portal
• Singapore launches ASEAN e-govt fellowship programme

Related Categories

• CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
• TECHNOLOGY

From this Section

• NEWS

“The availability of a comprehensive e-government programme relying on principal indices to measure strategy implementation performance harmonises with Bahrain’s economic vision 2030,” says Shaikh Ahmed Bin Atiyatallah Al Khalifa Minister of Cabinet Affairs. He adds that one of the indices is to conduct an annual study on agents satisfaction.

A study carried out by e-government authority revealed that 75 per cent of those survey are non-users of the e-goverment website. 60 per cent of these people have cited the reason that the current website address is difficult to remember.

“Launching the website under its new address (www.bahrain.bh) coincides with a change in design and content which will further encourage the agents to rely on the e-government gate in finalising their government procedures,” says Khalifa.

US$111 million has been earmarked for the website for the next three years, and an agreement has been reached to provide 167 services schedules according to priority and importance. Telephone companies will play their part in upgrading their service as telephone communication centre will become the second channel for data transmission after the launch of the website.

Khalifa affirms that “the e-goverment gate will allow Bahrain government to improve its services by saving time and energy”. This gateway also allows various government establishments to keep in touch with one another in a more facilitated and pratical way.

Mohammed Ali Qaed Egovernment Authority Chief Executive Officer said,” E-government does not simply meant technology or website, but it is a tool allowing Bahrain government to provide better services for citizens and residents alike. The website also offers a bigger space for government institutes advertisements.”

New user-friendly systems include an SMS alert and notification system, multiple access routes to information, special search facilities in Arabic and English and categorisation of information for individuals, businesses, tourists and government users, said Mr Al Qaed.

The website offers wide-ranging, multiple-featured e-services and information under the categories of individual, business, government and Visit Bahrain. Users can view the e-service name, logo and related description and steps before using any service and they can also print information pertaining to a given service and pick what font they require for printing.

The launch of this new website address aims to further boost e-services by an expected addition of 25 new services to the existing 65 within the next three months. Users will be able to surf the upgraded site in both Arabic and English.

“Visitor numbers to the e-government portal have now reached a total 8,692,800 with the average time spent on the portal at six minutes.”