Dubai eGovernment commends Dubai Municipality for leading the way in digital transformation

In line with its strategy for 2007, during which all customer interaction points at the Municipality will remain closed for a period of one week, to ensure that customers make use of the range of electronic services offered by the Municipality. The 'Municipality without Visitors' week that will be observed in the month of June, aims to promote the use of eServices in Dubai, complementing the government's vision of providing 100 per cent of its services online.

Salem Al Shair, eServices Director, Dubai eGovernment, said, "The 'Municipality without Visitors' week will mark the beginning of a new chapter in eGovernance in Dubai and we appreciate Dubai Municipality's commitment in this regard. Dubai Municipality is leading the way in digital transformation and we are pleased to offer our complete support to them to help them achieve their objectives."

The second phase of the Municipality's 2007 strategy will be launched in July, whereby all departments and offices of the Municipality will be closed for one day every week (in addition to Friday and Saturday) until the end of 2007.

Hussein Lootah, Provisional General Manager, Dubai Municipality, said, "Our goal is to provide 100 per cent of our services online by the end of the year and we are pleased with the progress we have achieved in this regard to date. We currently offer 98 per cent of our services electronically, giving us an edge over other successful eGovernments of the world such as Canada, US and Singapore. Through the upcoming initiatives like the 'Municipality without Visitors' week we aim to demonstrate the concept of a government without paperwork or queues which constitute the essence of an eGovernment in its best form."

Dubai eGovernment has been conducting studies to evaluate the level of electronic transformation in the different government departments in Dubai. The studies revealed the improvement achieved by Dubai Municipality on various evaluation criteria, placing it in a leading position not only locally but on the level of municipalities regionally and internationally as well.

"Our numbers clearly show that the accomplishments of Dubai Municipality are something to be proud of. They are already providing more than 90 per cent of their services online and the electronic transformation rate is approaching the 100 per cent point. This level of commitment and success has helped the Municipality win the "Best Application of eGovernment Award" from the United Nations," said Al Shair.

Government departments in Dubai are accelerating their efforts to improve the level of electronic transformation, in line with the target set by H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, to provide 90 per cent of government services online and achieve a utilisation rate of not less than 50 per cent.