Foreign Minister launches Tarasul electronic system

TDT | Manama

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched yesterday a pair of innovative electronic services. The first is a system called “Tarasul” which remotely manages and records all incoming and outgoing memorandums and attachments, regardless of where users are.

The other is a virtual assistance service called “Ask MOFA”, which is a new channel to provide electronic services using artificial intelligence technology to communicate and interact around the clock and answer the public’s questions regarding all services provided by the ministry and diplomatic missions abroad.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani launched the “Tarasul” e-system, which has been designed and implemented by technicians at the ministry’s Information System Directorate.

The minister, the assistant foreign minister, the undersecretaries, assistant undersecretaries and directors were remotely briefed by the directorate’s specialists on the technical advantages provided by “Tarasul” for those working at the ministry and at the diplomatic missions abroad, as well as on the system’s ability to provide follow-up mechanisms for electronic correspondences, archiving, searching and reviewing.

Al Zayani expressed thanks and appreciation to the information technology specialists in implementing several technical applications that will help in creating a motivating environment to speed up and enhance work.

He added that the ministry is hoping to develop its administrative work by using information technology as it facilitates the work-flow for employees. The minister stressed the need of adopting a comprehensive and advanced training programme to provide administrative employees with the skills to navigate this system.

Information System director Ambassador Ali Jassim Alaradi said that the system was achieved in a record 30 days, while relying solely on the efforts of the directorate’s employees.

He noted that the current stage of the system includes correspondence between the ministry’s directorates and the diplomatic missions abroad. Features of the system were discussed with the ministry’s officials who remotely attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, the “Ask MOFA” e-service will provide users with immediate support through common inquiries and frequently asked questions (FAQs), while also helping them activate a live chat if needed to get efficient and high-quality services.

“Ask MOFA” was launched through the Ministry’s website www.mofa.gov.bh. It will also be added to the ministry’s smartphone application, “Wejhati”, in the very near future.

In this regard, Ambassador Alaradi added that “Ask MOFA” was launched as the first governmental service of its kind, using artificial intelligence technology.

This is in light of the continuous efforts of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to develop services and give users the chance to experience unconventional methods of communication, and in accordance with the government’s objectives for e-services.