Page 48 - SAMENA Trends - August 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Bahrain Launches Eight New Online Services

Eight new online services have been and their expansion,” said Gen Shaikh police directorates and stations within
launched, as part of a comprehensive Rashid on the occasion. “It contributes to efforts to increase the use of technology
electronics package that includes 76 Excellency and speed in providing services in various initiatives and services. He also
services. The new services include: as well as work towards achieving the UN underlined the importance of educating all
Requesting a good conduct and behavior Sustainable Development Goals as part of segments of society to benefit from these
certificate, inquiring about the status the government’s priorities and strategies.” electronic services, which contribute to
of the certificate request, checking its He highlighted that the coming phase will eliminating the need to attend in person to
validity, visa extension, inquiring about include developing services provided at avail of the services.
the visa application, viewing the visa
data, paying Customs fees and viewing
traffic certificates. The introduction of the
integrated electronics package is part of
national efforts to combat the spread of
Covid-19. The new services were launched
in co-operation between the Information
and e-Government Authority, Nationality,
Passports and Residence Affairs, the
Traffic Directorate, the General Directorate
of Criminal Investigation and Forensic
Science, and Customs Affairs. Interior
Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla
Al Khalifa, who launched the new services
remotely yesterday, praised His Majesty
King Hamad’s directives to invest in
technology at all levels to serve the country
and its citizens. “Launching these new
services is within the framework of digital
transformation for the ministry’s services

Oman Going Digital in COVID-19 Times

Government bodies in Oman have set up channels. "Dr. Khalifa bin Mohammad Al relevance. We will also receive all queries
digital services for people to reach out to Hadrami, Secretary General of the Judicial of investors sent through the ministry’s
them, so that they can avoid physically Administrative Affairs Council, issued a social media accounts. SEZAD, responsible
coming to these places, and bring down the circular for everyone’s attention that all the to administer and bring investment into
rate of COVID-19 infection in the country. services for the litigants will be available the special economic zone in Duqm
Judicial courts in Oman will soon go electronically from August 2, 2020,” (SEZD), has also set up three channels – a
digital, after a circular issued by Dr. Khalifa said a statement from the organization. website, an email address, and a WhatsApp
bin Mohammad Al Hadrami, Secretary- “Therefore, people will not be received in account – specifically for investors to
General of the Judicial Administrative the courts of judicial services.” Adding reach out to them electronically. Located
Affairs Council, said people didn’t need to to this the Ministry of Commerce and in the central Wusta Governorate, Duqm
come to the courts, as everything could Industry said: “As part of the framework is expected to contribute much of Oman’s
be managed electronically during the to facilitate the provision of requests and non-oil revenue in the years to come. “In
time of the pandemic. Oman’s Ministry of document submissions electronically, compliance with the decisions of Supreme
Commerce and Industry has also asked between the ministry, government and Committee and adhering to precautionary
people to submit their relevant documents private bodies and individuals, and as measures to combat Coronavirus, SEZAD
and enquiries through email, instead of part of the commitment towards these has introduced digital solutions to
approaching them in person, and the precautionary measures to stop the customers & investors,” said a statement
Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm spread of COVID-19, we would like to from the authority.
(SEZAD) has requested its customers draw everyone’s attention to the necessity
to reach out to them through its digital of sending them via email, according to

48 AUGUST 2020