Bahrain launch new real estate licensing system, eServices

TDT | Manama

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in cooperation with the information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), have launched a new Real Estate Licensing System and associated eServices, which are available through the National Portal, bahrain.bh.

The launch was conducted virtually through a meeting, which brought together RERA CEO Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, IGA CEO Mohammad Ali Al Qaed, iGA Deputy Chief Executive for Electronic Transformation Dr Zakareya Ahmed Al Khajah, and other senior officials from both sides.

In the first phase, RERA licensing system includes a set of electronic services for brokers and sales agents, license applications, fee payments, application status inquiries, license renewals, and access to updated RERA lists and documents required for issuing or updating licenses.

Speaking at the launch of the new service, the RERA CEO said: “This new licensing system represents the combined and concerted efforts of iGA and RERA. I wish to thank the iGA team for their commitment and support in bringing the licensing system to fruition. It is another example of government’s organisations working effectively together to deliver more efficient services to the Bahrain business community. This is a further enhancement of services delivered electronically by RERA, thus removing the need for personal attendance at RERA’s offices, particularly relevant at this time through the challenges.”

He thanked the members of RERA Board of Directors, chaired by Shaikh Salman bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, president of the Survey and Land Registration Bureau, for their support that is aligned with the Government objectives and guidelines.

Shaikh Mohammed added: “We, in RERA, are very keen to ensure the range of services provided are delivered in the most efficient and effective way possible, by maximising the use of electronic channels. We are always interested in getting the feedback from RERA service users which can then be factored into future service enhancement.”

The eServices covered by this first phase will be added to the broader list of services iGA provides to citizens and residents through the National Portal bahrain.bh. iGA established an integrated system between the two parties to ensure these services meet the highest levels of quality and security.

The backend system was developed in accordance with the latest Amazon Web Services (AWS) standards, optimising cloud computing technologies, and integrating and linking it to national systems and services, such as the eKey. The RERA system is also integrated with the population registry system, Sijilat, the National Payment Aggregator (NPA), and all data related to real estate, making it user-friendly to the public and RERA.

On this occasion, iGA CEO emphasised the importance of the real estate sector as a pillar of economic development, adding that laws and e-services need to be continuously improved to attract foreign investment.
 He thanked RERA for its commitment to national digital transformation plans, praising the support of its team in bringing traditional services to the digital world.
 He expressed his pride in the technical expertise of the employees who worked on the project, which resulted in the highest levels of quality, accuracy and efficiency.

Al Qaed added that iGA would continue its co-operation with RERA to provide even more eServices for citizens and residents, saving time and effort for both service providers and beneficiaries. The upcoming phases of the RERA licensing system will be launched and will include services for the other licensee categories, including developers, property managers and owners’ association managers.