The eGovernment Authority of Bahrain (eGA) signed an agreement with Affno, a leading provider of e-Government solutions and Third Wave International, Affno’s Country Representative in Bahrain, to build and manage a Mobile Portal that would deliver 50 e-Government services in Bahrain. Affno’s selection followed a highly competitive tender process where several leading players from around the world competed for this highly prestigious contract.

Mr. Mohammed Al Qaed, CEO of the eGovernment Authority of Bahrain expressed his confidence in the partnership, commenting, “As one of the world’s leading providers of total eGovernment solutions, I am certain that Affno will complete the Mobile Portal according to the highest standards and quality possible.”

“Launching the Mobile Portal is a critical milestone for us as we work towards achieving our vision of ensuring the effective delivery of government services to Bahrain’s citizens, residents, businesses, and visitors,” he continued. “The new channel will complement the eGovernment National Portal (www.bahrain.bh) and extend the reach of eServices to a much broader base of users, in accordance with the goals and objectives of the Bahrain Vision 2030.”

Suren Kannangara, CEO of Affno, pointed out that mobile phone penetration is considerably larger than PC penetration in many countries in the world especially in regions such as the Middle East and North Africa. Thus, “using the mobile phone as a channel of providing e-services to citizens would be very effective in these countries’’, he opined.

Through the Mobile Portal, anyone with a mobile phone – regardless of its make or model - will be able interact with the various Government entities and use their services using a simple easy-to-use SMS interface. Those with mobile phones equipped with an internet browser will be able to access a version of the eGovernment National Portal designed specifically for use in mobile devices. The Mobile Portal will provide 10 basic government services initially, upon its launch in June, and 50 by the end of the year.

Some of the key eServices which will be available via the Mobile Portal include electricity bill and traffic fine inquires, daily price index, airport flight and arrival information, school examination results, and complaint submissions to various Government organizations.

Mobile Government is one of the four main channels – eGovernment National Portal, National Call Center, Common Service Centers, and Mobile Portal - through which Government services will be offered in order to provide comprehensive and convenient multi-channel access to government services to everyone.