In implementation of digital policies, the Kingdom of Bahrain has adopted many initiatives that contribute directly to the development of digital services and digital presence. The following is a set of applications that show many aspects of the approved policies and their impact on customers and beneficiaries of government services.
Born on Cloud, the National Bureau of Revenue represents the essence of Digital First Policy and Digital Government as a Right. With Cloud utilization being largely adopted across the government at the time, NBR have embraced cloud services and established all their services through digital means.
The NBR have also put into effect the Once Only Data Policy by integrating with Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) to facilitate sharing of business-related data and information, streamlining the on boarding process for companies joining the Value Added Tax (VAT) system, and aligning with Commercial Registration business activity.
The flow of information within the NBR system
The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has the responsibility of organize the labour market in the Kingdom, and regulate work permits for expatriate employees.
LMRA follows a digital first approach to developing digital services and systems to workers and employers such as the “Expat Portal” and the “Expat Management System” which is in line with the Kingdom’s Digital First Policy. This digital transformation was done by integrating LMRA’s services with multiple governmental entities (stakeholders), while ensuring that all services are easily accessible through online channels in compliance with the Digital Government as a Right policy.
The flow of information from multiple stakeholders is integrated in LMRA’s systems and processes, ensuring that data is used only once from its source and allowing the users to enter minimum amount of information while using the “Expat Portal” or the “Expat Management System” as stated in the Once Only Data Policy. The LMRA’s process includes information from the following stakeholder’s:
The flow of information within the LMRA systems
The Building Permit Portal (Benayat) is one of key national systems that make effective use and adoption of the National Digital Policies. Benayat is the Kingdom of Bahrain’s official system used to issue building permits for all types of building projects whether investment, residential, industrial, or commercial. The system enables Engineering Offices licensed in the Kingdom of Bahrain to apply for building permits, enquire on application status, obtain consultation from concerned government entities regarding building permits, pay building permit related fees, as well as apply for other building related services. By utilizing an interactive map that provides key information for land parcels and by centralizing all the concerned regulations and requirements under one system, Benayat allows applicants to obtain all necessary information to prepare drawings and documents required to apply for a building permit.
Granting consumers with highly available and accessible integrated services reflects the core principle of the Digital Government as a Right Policy. Benayat Portal is also tightly aligned with the Digital-First Policy where all requests are received and processed exclusively online without any human interaction, which eliminates the need for front desk service centres. Additionally, the Once Only Data Policy has been taken in consideration while developing the system, where all data and information required are retrieved from different sources from multiple government entities into a unified data platform.
The retrieving of all data and information required from different sources into Benayat platform.
Issued at birth or upon arrival to the kingdom, the Identity Card (ID card) is a vital document that serves as the backbone of government services across various sectors. The data obtained to issue the ID card is stored and maintained in the Central Registration System (CRS) and goes beyond being used as proof of identity. This is due to the large number of services that utilize this data to facilitate seamless transactions.
Central Registration System (CRS) is a system that contain records of all citizens and residents in Kingdom of Bahrain and is the primary source of vital information and statistics for other national systems.
ID card services are architected with the Once Only Data Policy in mind, which means that data is only collected once and then shared across multiple government entities. This allows for more efficient service delivery and a better user experience.
The eKey, a single-sign-on government authentication system, is used to further secure ID card services. The eKey is linked to the ID card and can be used to access government services online.
The ID card is a valuable tool that helps to streamline government services and improve the lives of Bahraini citizens and residents. By utilizing the Once Only Data Policy the ID card services have become more efficient, secure, and user-friendly.
The front and back sides of the Identity Card (ID card)
In 2015, the Government of Bahrain took steps to reform subsidies and optimize government spending in social support area. One of the key goals of this reform was to directly credit funds to citizens' accounts in accordance with certain criteria and amounts.
The Central Registry System (CRS), which is the core of ID Card services, was heavily used to establish the required relations which means that beneficiaries only needed to provide their bank account details, as all other necessary information could be retrieved from the CRS.
The logic generated from the data within the CRS was also used to support other subsidy reforms, such as electricity and water subsidies guided by the Once Only Data Policy, which ensures that data is only collected once and then shared across multiple government entities. This allows for more efficient service delivery and a better user experience.
The Once Only Data Policy is a valuable tool that can help Bahrain’s government to save money and improve the lives of citizens and residents. By utilizing this policy, the Kingdom of Bahrain has been able to reform its subsidies in a way that is both efficient and effective.
The financial subsidies system
The Government of Bahrain has developed an eService that allows residents to renew their driving licenses seamlessly online. The service, which is available on the National Portal bahrain.bh, requires users to simply login to bahrain.bh and to use the service and perform the payment. All required details, including the driver's photo, are then exchanged with the issuing authority and the renewed license is delivered by post to the recipient.
The Once Only Data Policy is apparent in the flow of information and integration involved in this service and ensures that data is only collected once and then shared across multiple government entities which allows for more efficient service delivery and a better user experience.
Driving license renewal process
This service was established to provides citizens and residents the ability to view and update their civil data details such as marital status, Employment Status, religion, education, passport details and work details.
The Central Registry System (CRS) have been heavily used to establish the required relations, thus, limiting the required information as it integrated with Social Insurance Organization (SIO) to pull the employment status and with Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs to pull in/ out of Bahrain status and passport details. Therefore, the user can view and update any details by simple steps.
The Once Only Data Policy is apparent in the flow of information and integration made with multiple stakeholders within the process, including:
The process for updating civil record details
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning offers a collection of online housing services that provide citizens with convenient and accessible access to housing information and services. These services reflect the core principles of the Digital Government as a Right Policy, and they are a valuable resource for citizens who are seeking housing in Bahrain.
Data from the Central Registry System (CRS) is also used by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to support these services and to reduce the amount of information that citizens need to provide which is in line with the principles of the Kingdom’s Once Only Data Policy. The policy ensures that citizens' data is only shared once, with multiple stakeholders within the process:
The process of delivering housing services
The Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Bahrain has simplified the process of obtaining a good conduct certificate through an online service via the National Portal bahrain.bh, making it easier for citizens and residents to access this important document.
To obtain a good conduct certificate, citizens simply need to login to the bahrain.bh and submit a request. The request is then processed, and the certificate is issued, and a digital version of the certificate is sent the citizen via email in encrypted format.
The online service process is a significant improvement over the previous system, which required citizens to visit a government service centre in person. The online service is more convenient, efficient, and accessible to both citizens and residents which reflects the MOI’s commitment to providing digital government services to the public as specified in the Digital Government as a Right policy.
The Good Conduct Certificate Service is streamlined by following the principles of the Once Only Data Policy, which ensures that citizens' data is only collected once and then shared across multiple government entities. The policy is a key component of the MOI’s digital transformation efforts to increase efficiency and reduce administrative burden among government entities and constituents.
Accessing the good conduct services on bahrain.bh
The Periodic Medical Examination Services allows employers to book, reschedule, and view their expat employees' health check-up appointments. In addition, employers can view their employees' fitness reports. The service is also used by private hospitals to confirm expat attendance and enter medical results.
The service was developed to be in-line with the rules and principles of the Once Only Data Policy. The policy ensures that data is only collected once and then shared across multiple government entities which means that employers and hospitals do not need to collect the same data from expat employees multiple times. Instead, they can access the data from the Central Registry System (CRS) and National Biometric Identity System (NBIS).
Information sharing and integration is made with multiple stakeholders within the service process, such as:
Pre-employment system data sharing mechanism
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Content Last Updated: 31 Aug, 2023
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