iGA opens revamped Open Data Portal

TDT | Manama                                                        

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) Chief Executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed announced the launch of the revamped Bahrain Open Data Portal (data.gov.bh), developed under global best practices and United Nations (UN) standards for open data. The overhauled portal aligns with the directives of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT).

This platform offers data classification and search functionalities accessible through a user-friendly web interface and API. Users can seamlessly search, collect, filter, and interactively preview data using interactive viewers, including geographic data with dedicated maps for Bahrain. Key features include tracking changes in datasets and aiding users in identifying frequently accessed and new data while allowing for modification.

The platform offers API integration with external systems, allowing seamless connectivity for individuals and organisations. Users can upload files without URL constraints, enabling unlimited data downloads. It supports the creation of groups, the addition of new organisations without programming, and user management. The platform facilitates generating new datasets and the creation of data visualisations, charts, and maps, supporting content in Arabic and English.

Al Qaed said that the platform's objective is to provide integrated government open data, enhance transparency, encourage electronic participation, and foster creativity. The Central Informatics Organisation, before merging with the eGovernment Authority, launched the open data platform in October 2013. The platform served as the basis for official statistics across all sectors, making it the first Arab country in the Middle East to adopt this open approach to disseminating statistics and engaging with the public.