IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

The conference saw the official launch of RAK Government's new e-services portal, www.rak.ae, offering around 30 government-related services online.

The journal, which will be available in English and Arabic on www.rak.ae, is part of an initiative to raise public awareness regarding eServices and to facilitate the complete shift towards digital governance in the emirate.

The project follows Protechnology’s prior success and partnership with Dubai eGovernment and their magazine - ‘e for all’.

During the visit, the RAK- eGA team was shown a detailed presentation on Dubai eGovernment, its history, its 2,000 plus eServices, and the various systems and processes, technology and quality standards that have been adopted by Dubai eGovernment, which have made it one of the most advanced electronic governance set ups in the Middle East. The meeting also facilitated the sharing of best practices, knowledge and ideas between the parties.

Given its limited hydrocarbon resources, RAK has sought to focus on a number of strategic sectors to guarantee economic stability and prosperity. Central to this policy is the development of a strong financial services sector, a vibrant tourism industry, a growing industrial base and the establishment of the emirate as a trade and transshipment hub. All of these sectors have increasingly come to rely on ICT to remain competitive.

The Certificate has been received by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, from Brian Baxter, Manager of Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Ltd (LRQA); which has carried out the assessment of RTA Information Security Systems. The Award was made in the presence of Abdullah Al Madani, CEO of RTA Corporate Technical Support Services, and Abdullah Al Bastaki, Director of RTA Information Technology, in addition to Premchand Kurup, CEO of Paramount Computer Systems Co.

"Introduction of this service comes in the context of RTA strategy to provide integrated solutions of systems and services that facilitate the use of roads and parking in a way that keeps pace with the sweeping development plans witnessed by Dubai Emirate and measures up to world-class standards applicable in this regard" said Maitha.

The Licensing Agency, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in Dubai has,kicked off a new e-service enabling allocation of number plates to customers at a nominal value through the RTA portal.

Mohammed Abdul Kareem Nimaat, Director of Vehicles Licensing Department, said: “This service is intended to upgrade the level of e-services on offer and facilitate the procedures for customers as the process of selecting number plates used to be made only through Customer Service Centre counters spread across the Emirate, or through RTA's strategic partners. In the past customers could have faced difficulties in reviewing all numbers on offer or selecting the suitable numbers due to time factor and huge number of visitors in these centres. This new e-service will contribute effectively and positively in offering customers ample opportunity for selecting suitable numbers without waiting."

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set for the launch of a new package of innovative services during Gitex 2010.

The CEO of RTA Corporate Technical Support Services Sector Abdullah Al Madani pointed to some of the key new electronic services on offer relating to licensing sector such as the online renewal of the driving licence, online renewal of vehicle registration, electronic scheduling of driving tests, online payment of fines, electronic eye testing, online allocation of distinguished numbers plates, and online open distinguished number plate auctions.

The Vehicles Licensing Department, Licensing Agency of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said it will activate the e-service of issuing various certificates through the RTA portal (www.rta.ae) from October 24.

According to Abdul Kareem Nimaat, Director of Vehicles Licensing, RTA Licensing Agency, the new e-service includes issuing vehicle ownership certificate, vehicle non-ownership certificate and the number of vehicles owned certificate.

Dubai eGovernment has recently announced that it is coordinating in strategic planning with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) regarding the provision and implementation of the ePay, mDubai and AskDubai services. The move will see the RTA adopt these services within the next few months which are mainly directed at improving access to the department’s information and services.

These include those from the suggestion scheme 'Fikraty', complaints system, Customers' Council, Emergency Office, Call Center in addition to the automated response system (IVR) and the services of the Traffic and Roads Agency, Marine Agency and Public Transport.

Maitha bin Adai, CEO of RTA Traffic & Roads Agency, said: “Salik Customer Service Center, which is the latest addition to RTA customer service outlets, aims to boost customer relations, facilitate customer interaction, finalize procedures related toll gate services, sort out issues and respond to inquiries in a short time. RTA decision to establish this Center aims to respond to the public needs following the sustained increase in the number of Salik users hailing from all UAE cities”.

Laila Hareb, Director of Customer Service Centers Department stated that this program is an addition to the programs undertaken by the RTA aiming at upgrading the online services and efficient interaction with clients with the least possible effort.