The Information Systems Department (ISD) at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) is currently working on 13 projects related to electronic services.
This follows the completion of some 20 vital projects in 2016 in addition to other accomplishments, according to a press statement.
The projects that are being developed currently include a ‘security permits’ project that will be used to issue such permits at the entry points of vital facilities such as Hamad International Airport and Hamad Port. Applications will be received and processed there to issue permits to the persons concerned.
Another project under development involves an upgrade of the organisational registry system to comply with the new requirements of the General Directorates of Passports. This will help reduce crowds and also provide an e-link with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce. It is expected to be launched in February.
A third project involves developing a system for the Search and Follow Up Department, which will link all its sections and streamline its work.
Meanwhile, the statement notes that the department has made significant progress in providing e-services to the public, with 250 such services on offer until now.
In 2016, 96 new online services were added and there was a 54% increase in the number of transactions conducted through the MoI’s Metrash2 application over the previous year. Also, the number of online enquiries amounted to 7mn, while the ministry’s website received some 12mn visitors.
Captain Abdulaziz al-Ruwaili, ISD assistant director, explained that the newly added 96 online services included 20 on Metrash2 and 76 on the MoI website, covering services of the Traffic Department, Community Policing Department and Criminal Investigation Department, as well as those related to residency permits and others.
Meanwhile, the service for registering minor traffic accidents on Metrash2 was used to register 20,352 accidents reports in 2016.
Also, Metrash2 subscribers amounted to 300,000 in 2016 with more than 2mn transactions conducted last year through the online application.
The most important e-projects accomplished last year included a new financial system project, an upgrade of the MoI website and the unified committee to select candidates for the Police College.