Government services accelerated to new digital speeds

TDT | Manama

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Earlier, it took 15 minutes; now it can be done in just 7. In Bahrain, this is the new time required for booking postal packages.

Making this possible are the newly installed standalone electronic platforms at postal centres, confirms the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications. And know what, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Postal services are just one of the 90 services that have recently went supersonic, thanks to the directives of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to develop 500 government services.

Education, maritime, civil aviation, as well as industry and commerce are other beneficiaries. In total, the postal department has digitised five of its services.

This was revealed jointly by the Minister of Education Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Mohammed bin Thamer Al Kaabi, and Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, during a show on Bahrain Television.

They assured that government services are now much faster and more efficient.

The main difference, Dr. Juma said, is in processing time, which is now lower than ever.

Jobs in private schools

Explaining further, he said the Ministry of Education has digitised 21 additional services, most importantly the appointment system for private schools.

“Previously, this took months and extensive paperwork. But now, it takes just seven days or less,” the minister said. “Schools, kindergartens, and nurseries can now fill their vacancies much faster.”

Curriculum

“We have also developed a comprehensive curriculum database to help private schools get their curricula approved in record time,” Dr. Juma revealed.

“Previously, schools had to wait for months to ensure compliance with Bahraini laws, customs, traditions, values, and principles.”

Fishing

In the maritime sector, Al Kaabi said they have digitised 27 services, including registration for fishing and pleasure boats, renewals, and ownership transfers. Previously, these processes required in-person visits to the registration office.

They can now be completed in a day. Port fees, which used to take two weeks, can now be processed in seven days. “A task that once took 10 days to identify and locate marine markers now requires just a week,” the minister added.

Flight Information

A new service now provides real-time flight information for departing flights. “With an average of 133 departing flights daily, the service utilises a mobile application to inform flight crews of weather and navigational data,” the Minister stated.

Investor-Friendly

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has made a major leap by digitis - ing 42 services across five departments.

Minister Fakhro said 33 services are for the Registration Department, three each for the Inspection and Standards, and Foreign Trade and Industrial Property Departments. “We have also digitised two services in the Information Systems Department and one in the Consumer Protection Department,” he added.

Procedures are now easier for investors, whether individuals, companies, or global entities, “aligning with the government’s overall vision,” he underscored.

Commercial Registration

By digitising commercial registration services, Fakhro said the ministry “aims to save time and effort for traders and investors, ultimately reducing project costs, especially in light of salary, bill, and bank loan obligations.” “To achieve this, the ministry has reviewed all services and streamlined the application process, reducing steps and requirements,” he pointed out.