MANAMA: Transactions generated through various eService channels exceeded BD100 million during the first quarter of 2021, soaring 173 per cent compared with the same period last year in 2020, as per Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) data.
The authority’s deputy chief executive for electronic transformation Dr Zakareya Alkhaja said that the Q1-2021 report shows a major spike in the performance of digital channels and services, in line with the government’s digital transformation efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The report also revealed an increase in the number of visits to the National Portal bahrain.bh, topping 3,570,000, an 83pc rise from last year.
There were also more than 850,000 online financial transactions conducted, up by 87pc from the same period last year.
Twenty-three eServices were launched during Q1, with 18 currently in development and 45 expected to be launched soon in partnership with other government entities before year end.
Of the 23 eServices launched during the first quarter this year, 12 were by the Interior Ministry and its directorates, including Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) services, such as new visa and special passport issuance requests, visa transfers, and visa request cancellations; General Directorate of Traffic (GDT) services such as issuance of lost or damaged vehicle ownership and plate numbers ownership certificates; guard services; and ID card services including residential address updates.
The Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry launched eServices that include unified payments for judicial services, whereas the Housing Ministry is now accepting new housing requests, housing application inquiries, contact and bank detail updates, and Mazaya and other financing requests through its electronic platform.
The Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry’s new eServices include small ships services, including renewal of pleasure boat registrations, renewal of navigation licences for pleasure boats, and status enquiry requests, while the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) is processing licence issuances and renewals for developers electronically.
Dr Alkhaja said the 18 eServices currently in development are related to a new law assigning the processing of minor accident cases to insurance companies as well as reconciled accident reporting; authorisations for vehicles passing through King Fahd Causeway; more ID card services; General Directorate of Civil Defence services; and more Health Ministry services.
The report revealed that the National Portal, bahrain.bh recorded over 570,000 financial transactions, an increase of 70pc from last year.
At the same time, there was a jump in revenues to BD92 million, double the amount received during the same period last year.
These results reflect the public’s awareness of government eServices and their value in helping them finalise their transactions easily and quickly via the National Portal without the need to visit service centres.
The most popular eServices were ID card renewals, judicial, electricity and water, and visa services.
The report also contained the results for the government’s smartphone apps, which were used over 56m times and generated 188,000 online transactions logging an increase of 75pc compared to Q1-2020.
The revenue generated exceeds BD9.2m, which is an increase of 95pc.
Many new features were added to the apps increasing their ease of use and access at any time and place via smartphones and tablets.
The highest number of users recorded was by the BeAware Bahrain app, followed by the Sehati app which saw an increase of 330pc, the Islamiyat app which recorded 281pc growth due to the inclusion of services such as zakat and charity and Fa’el Khair, and the government directory app that saw its usage rise by 218pc.
Revenues generated through eServices via the National Portal have also seen substantial growth.
Credit reports led in the category surging 493pc; followed by the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry services jumping 283pc, and passport renewal services growing 182pc.
avinash@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))