In a recent announcement, the Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Ahmad Hanandeh, confirmed that the mechanism for activating the digital identity of remote expatriates in Jordan will be unveiled soon. The minister also revealed plans to establish a dedicated team at Queen Alia International Airport and border crossings to provide assistance to expatriates in activating their digital identities.
Hanandeh explained that the process of activating the digital identity would require citizens to be physically present once to verify their identity and provide hand and eye biometrics. However, the minister assured that a special mechanism would be introduced for remote Jordanian expatriates, details of which will be announced in the near future, Hala News reported.
He emphasized that the activation of digital identity is a crucial step towards preparing for the upcoming phase of digital transformation. This initiative aims to simplify citizens' lives and reduce costs. It forms part of an extensive plan to modernize the public sector, with active citizen participation in the development and enhancement of public services.
Citizens have already activated their digital identities
Highlighting the progress made so far, Hanadeh disclosed that approximately 500,000 citizens have already activated their digital identities, while the "Sanad" application boasts more than 1.5 million subscribers. The goal is to reach all subscribers and enable the activation of their digital identities by the end of the current year.
The minister underscored the importance of digital identity as the primary means of communication between citizens and the government. He assured the public that each service launched in its initial version will be subject to continuous improvement based on valuable citizen feedback.
He also outlined the broader significance of digital identity activation as a pivotal step towards a complete transition to digital services.
A streamlined process
This transformation aims to provide citizens with seamless access to essential services, stimulate economic growth, facilitate business operations, and eliminate financial and administrative corruption through streamlined procedures and automated service delivery.
The minister emphasized that activating digital identities will also open doors for the implementation of numerous projects in both the public and private sectors.
Addressing concerns regarding security, Hanandeh stated that digital identity activation is safeguarded by a robust set of verification factors. Access to government platforms and services will be unified through a username and password, ensuring a high level of protection aligned with the best practices implemented worldwide.
Regarding Jordan's digital services ranking, he revealed that the country currently holds the fourth or fifth position among Arab nations. He expressed determination to enhance this standing further through future studies and initiatives.