Hi-tech services in Bahrain

Manama : The Deputy King, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, yesterday inaugurated the Fast Track Lounge project at the Information and e-Government Authority headquarters in Isa Town. The inauguration coincided with the launch of three other projects, including the e-Government Kiosks project, the revamped National Complaints and Suggestions System “Tawasul”, and the new smart card collector machines.

During the ceremony, the Deputy King emphasised that the Kingdom, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, had pioneered the improvement of public services to deliver more effective government services. “The Kingdom endeavours to provide fully integrated e-Government infrastructure to provide high quality services to citizens and residents.”

The Deputy King also highlighted the importance of developing the Kingdom’s ICT sector on par with international standards, noting its important contributions to achieving the government’s development goals. 

Commending the efforts of the Information and e-Government Authority to develop the ICT sector, Prince Salman added that automated public services and the integration of government processes were in line with the directives of Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

The Deputy King also noted the significant contributions made by ICT services to the Kingdom’s economy, particularly the facilitation of investment opportunities. 

Prince Salman appreciated the effective work of the Information and e-Government Authority, particularly in light of the recent merger of the Central Informatics Organisation and e-Government Authority.

On the occasion, he was given a tour of the Fast Track lounge - the first project launched following the merger - and briefed on the services it offers, including the issuance and renewal of ID cards without appointments.

Prince Salman was briefed on the recently updated e-Government Kiosks project, which provides various channels of online payment for a wide-range of government services. He also received a briefing on the public awareness campaign around the online government services that were created to ease processing times for citizens and residents.

The Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa also attended the inauguration ceremony.