Government departments to demonstrate diversified online services under Dubai eGovernment umbrella at GITEX Dubai 2003

The departments will demonstrate the applications of several systems deployed by Dubai eGovernment to enable them to deliver improved services through multiple channels, including mDubai, the channel for mobile services, and AskDubai, the state-of-the-art contact centre.

'The participation of government departments at GITEX 2003 as part of the Dubai e-Government stand, consolidates our efforts to project the www.dubai.ae portal as the main gateway to access any service of any government department,' said Salem Al Shair, Director eServices, Dubai eGovernment. 'The portal is entering an important phase in which the government departments will migrate to more efficient payment systems, and more innovative ways of categorizing services. This will ensure the success of the e-Government project which has adopted best-of-breed technologies to bring about a revolution in the way people interact with the government'.

Briefing the participating departments at a meeting held recently at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Marwan Al Naqi, Project Manager for GITEX at Dubai eGovernment, said: 'This is going to be the biggest ever participation by Dubai government departments in GITEX. It is also the most significant, because there has been more sophistication and upgrade in our services since our last participation in GITEX last year. It is the perfect platform to showcase our eServices to a key audience that has a high degree of awareness of computers and IT.'

Over 130 representatives from the participating departments took part in the meeting. They were briefed on the various activities and the point of sale and publicity material that has been designed for distribution at the GITEX stand.

Among the 21 departments demonstrating their online services at the e-Government stand at GITEX are, Department of Health & Medical Services (DOHMS), Dubai Development Board (DDB), Dubai Municipality, Dubai Civil Defence, Land Department, Dubai Transport, Awqaf & Islamic Affairs Department, Real Estate, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai Police, Department of Economic Development, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Dubai Government Workshop, Dubai Ship Docking Yard, Justice Department, Tanmia, Department of Information, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Administration (DNRD).

'This is our second joint promotion of government departments under the Dubai e-Government umbrella at GITEX,' said Al Naqi. 'It is a matter of great pride to bring, under one roof, so many key departments to the public. Their presence reflects their commitment to fulfill the objectives of Dubai e-Government to automate and integrate services as part of Dubai's ultimate goal of creating a wired community fully equipped to conduct government transactions electronically. We have added more innovative services and initiatives since our last participation in GITEX and we would like to encourage visitors to try them out.'

The Dubai eGovernment stand located at Hall No. 6 at GITEX Dubai 2003, will consist of 30 kiosks. Visitors to the Dubai eGovernment stand will be able to view and test the hundreds of services now available online for the members of the public and the business community, from various government departments.

Dubai Land Department will demonstrate the application of mDubai and AskDubai, for more effective delivery of its online services such as request for parcel plan, update ownership information, locating a parcel, letter of ownership, real estate agent index and land transaction index.

Dubai Development Board will showcase its online services utilizing Ask Dubai, mDubai and eJob. The Department of Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) will also highlight its applications of eJob for recruitment.

Dubai Civil Defence will demonstrate how AskDubai is proving to be the central contact centre to provide a highly effective link between the various departments and the people.

Dubai Municipality will highlight eServices in lab testing results of Dubai Central Labs, food control health certificates, clinic health certificates, veterinary certificates, online statistical information, building services, Geographical Information System and parking fines inquiry.