iGA holds first virtual Ramadan Majlis

TDT | Manama

The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) held yesterday its first virtual Ramadan Majlis (iGA eMajlis) on a range of topics related to digital transformation efforts during the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Held via the Zoom video conferencing platform, the eMajlis was hosted by iGA Chief Executive, Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Deputy Chief Executives, and other iGA officials with members of the technology community in the Kingdom, including representatives of the public and private sectors. Officials of technology societies, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), telecommunication companies, universities, banking and finance industry, ICT sector within Economic Development Board (EDB), health sector, specialised technology companies, IT departments of government entities as well as guests from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Jordan took part.

The iGA expressed its satisfaction with the positive feedback it received on the new communication channel which mimics the atmosphere of a traditional Bahraini majlis, while at the same allowing social distancing measures. Al Qaed expressed his deepest appreciation to all who interacted with the iGA, including citizens, residents, officials, and guests from abroad. He stressed the importance of listening to the observations of experts and the public, to better understand their points of view when working to meet their needs. Al Qaed said: “The eMajlis provides a communication platform for the entire spectrum of the technology community.

The feedback and recommendations shared during the eMajlis will be studied and evaluated by specialists at the iGA and implemented if possible.” The eMajlis included several technical discussions covering Bahrain’s success in maintaining the productivity of both the public and private sector. Some of the topics discussed included deploying technology to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, remote learning and ways of improving it, online legal services and the importance of providing sufficient budgets to keep the pace of technology sector with global developments .

The virtual meeting also discussed other aspects of digital transformation in the Kingdom, including the availability of popular online shopping apps, which are a good indicator of the advancements made in eCommerce in the Kingdom. The most prominent eServices provided by iGA were highlighted and the authority was praised for its comprehensive range of ID card services including eight new eServices, and enhancements made to four others. The eMajlis included a survey on which industries in the Kingdom are most likely to be impacted by digital transformation in the post-Coronavirus era.