Government apps user number in Bahrain increases by 141pc: iGA

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

Government apps for smart devices recorded a 141 per cent increase in the number of users, reaching 1,349,000, according to the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA).

Transactions during 2021 topped 937,000, an increase of 84pc, mainly attributed to the BeAware Bahrain and Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) apps.

More than BD54 million was collected in revenue, an increase of 98pc due to newly launched apps for smart devices.

This information came as iGA Chief Executive Mohammeed Ali Al Qaed spoke at a press conference yesterday held at the iGA's premises in Muharraq to highlight the government’s 2021 digital transformation achievements and its upcoming action plan.

iGA Deputy CE of Electronic Transformation, Dr Zakareya Ahmed AlKhajah and other senior officials were also in attendance.

The support offered by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for providing advanced, convenient and accessible government services is in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s national digital transformation strategy, Mr Al Qaed said.

Mr Al Qaed pointed out that the iGA is committed to achieving the senior leadership’s vision and implementing the directives of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology (SCICT), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa to accelerate the launch of digital strategies and technical initiatives.

He also reaffirmed implementing the directives of the Minister of Interior, Lt Gen Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa to enhance services within the government sector and work with all public and private organisations to improve their offerings in a way that benefits citizens and residents.

As reflected in the statistics and indicators gathered, Dr AlKhajah said that 2021 was an exceptional year for digital transformation.

For the first time, revenues from online transactions crossed the BD500 million mark, representing a 116pc increase. There were more than 15 million visits to the National Portal, an increase of 37pc from 2020, resulting from initiatives and strategies designed and implemented meticulously over the last two decades.

He said that the iGA, since the launch of the Kingdom’s digital transformation strategy and until the end of 2021, had provided over 563 services via online channels.

434 of these are offered through the National Portal, bahrain.bh, 19 through self-service kiosks, and 110 via smartphone apps that can be downloaded from the eGovernment Apps Store, bahrain.bh/ apps.

There was also an 86pc reduction in government operational expenses due to restructured procedures, which led to a 77pc reduction in the time needed to complete transactions.

This helped safeguard the public’s health during the pandemic, as there was almost no need to visit service centers.

Financial transactions at all government entities increased by 65pc compared to 2020, exceeding 3.7 million.

The Ministry of Interior launched the lion’s share of new eServices in 2021, 38 in total, including 18 for the General Directorate of Traffic (GDT); six for the iGA; five for Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs; four each for Civil Defence and the Guards Training School; and one for Customs Affairs.

There were six for the Ministry of Housing, one for the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), five for youth and sports, four for transportation and telecommunications, two for judicial services, and one for the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE).

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Mr Al Qaed said that iGA is working with HRH the Premier’s office, to improve the websites of all departments and ministries to make them more user friendly.

“The Ministry of Health website is one of the best globally, and it has won many accolades, including the UN honour,” Mr Al Qaed said.

“However, content generation is the job of the ministry or department concerned. Eventually, we will have the best websites for ministries and departments.”