The Ministry of Interior has launched 169 electronic services through its website, and 30 smart services via mobile phones. This initiative is in pursuance of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and is implemented under the constant supervision of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
The Ministry of Interior’s Smartphone platform was launched for all types of smart phone operating systems: Apple, Android, Blackberry and Windows. It provides many direct services to link users electronically to a number of service providers in the country, such as vehicle inspection and insurance companies. The platform also provides an integrated comprehensive link to the ministry’s website through the Unified Login mechanism (username and password) to obtain services from any channel of electronic communication. Users can register once using the Single Sign-On property directly on the website or through smart phones, and gain access to all the available ministry’s services.
These remarks were made by Major General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Director General of Central Operations at Abu Dhabi Police. He stressed the importance of this e-transformation commensurate with the developments taking place in the Information Technology (IT) industry, so as to enable easy access of community members to these services wherever they are.
“The Ministry of Interior will be achieving full automation of the 339 services it offers through smart phones or through its website by the end of the year, in addition to the Interactive voice response (IVR) and Interactive Messaging services in telecommunications,” indicated Al Raisi. He also noted that a Smart Application Center was established at the Ministry of Interior to handle all electronic procedures pertaining to services, and respond to customers’ inquiries. This center is operated by a highly qualified team of Emirati citizens.
Major General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi added that the ministry is steadily forging ahead towards achieving e-transformation as per the strategy set up for this end. “The ministry seeks to attain full automation of procedures, to enable customers to complete their transactions automatically with a single click on the smart applications without human intervention,” stated Major General Al Raisi. He also noted that the ministry is planning to launch a new mechanism that would allow customers to complete their transactions periodically without having to apply for the required service.
“The services offered in the first phase would help save time and effort and time for citizens and residents alike. They include vehicle registration renewal, payment of fines through mobile phones and the Ministry of Interior's website without having to visit the relevant service center. Work is currently underway to add the passport renewal service for mobile phones in the coming days, in addition to the 30 days (short term visits) and 90 days visit visas (long term visits) service, the domestic workers card and entry permit and other security services benefiting users in the state,” stated Major General Al Raisi.
In conclusion, Major General Al Raisi stated that the Ministry of Interior’s services will ultimately become e-services by the end of the year. The related procedures will be reviewed as per the existing technical developments and re-engineered accordingly.
Access Channels to Electronic Services
For his part, Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Hamad Al Hinai, Chairman of the E-transformation Executive Committee pointed out that
