Turnpage

Please visit our sponsors

RSS Feed
 

Current News & Press

 

Advertisement

The Bahamas Investor

News & Press Archives

 
The Bahamas Investor on facebookFollow The Bahamas Investor on TwitterSubscribe to RSS feeds from The Bahamas Investor
HOME > 
News & Press > 
Halkitis promotes e-government services

Addressing the Rotary Club March 14, State Minister for Finance Michael Halkitis said that information and communications technology was vital to the continued growth of the economy. 

Source:
Date:
Updated:
TheBahamasInvestor.com
Monday, March 18, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013

Simplifying government business through offering online payment services would enhance the ease of doing business in The Bahamas, according to Michael Halkitis, State Minister for Finance.

“Our value proposition must be competitive globally in order to spur economic growth locally. By making our information available and accessible, by modernizing processes, and having rules and regulations that are fair and apply to all, our customers can improve their productivity,” said the Minister during an address to the Rotary Club March 14.


The Minister said that information and communications technology (ICT) has become the driving force behind productivity and economic growth for countries, with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reporting that ICT investments accounted for economic growth between 0.5 per cent and 1.3 per cent in GDP in a number of economies 1995-2000.

“ICT, through the advent of the Internet, has provided a channel for customer self-service and has changed the way persons and businesses transact and interact,” said Halkitis.

“E-business, which is the use of ICT to improve productivity and growth, has been part of the private sector’s business model for years. E-government takes on the private sector’s e-business model as a means of gaining this same productivity and growth. The e-government model, however, is not only for the dissemination of information and provision for online transactions at a low cost, but also to open a new channel of communication and networking with businesses, citizens, and the world.”

The Bahamas e-government portal services is a government initiative aimed at making business with government easier by providing online access to a range of services.

Halkitis noted that the Bahamas has reached the United Nations classification of the third stage of Online Service Development, known as Transactional Presence, which means its portal offers two-way interactive communication, financial, and non-financial transactions.

He said that the government then put some initiatives in place to achieve its objectives, such as a new e-government portal, e-commerce regulations that have been in place since 2002, ICT governance structure put in place, providing the means for participation and inclusion, and engaging in professional services to aid with promotion, awareness, and education programmes for e-government.

“We have electronic authentication of citizens, residents, and non-residents for conducting electronic or online services. Putting services online reduces processing costs, reduces the number of inefficiencies attributed to manual processing, and streamlines the process.”

“Today, individuals can pay their Real Property Tax, Driver’s Licence, and Traffic Fines online. We have simplified the process and it will take only a few minutes to complete. The Portal also gives access to online services provided by the Registrar General’s Department.”

The Minister said the site received a 100 per cent rating in the UN E-Government Survey 2012 for first stage web presence, Emerging Information Services. He said that is because the portal offers access to over 300 forms and services, gives access to laws and acts, and notices on tenders and government initiatives.

“The Bahamas Information Services provides up-to-date news and press releases, and hundreds of publications, such as the Constitution are available. There is useful data about the government, history, historical sites, and national symbols. Businesses have a portal dedicated to themselves with easy access to ‘How Do I’s…’, FAQs, permits and licenses,” Halkitis said.

“Citizens can learn about the services offered by the Department of Labour, Department of Social Services, Department of Health, and a number of other agencies. Persons wishing to visit can explore The Bahamas by clicking through areas like ‘Places of Interest’, ‘Culture’, and provides information on what they need to know when planning a trip to The Bahamas. The portal offers a secure payment gateway to facilitate online monetary transactions. Realizing the apprehension customers would have regarding security online, the government implemented measures that are best in practice for secure transactions.”

Halkitis said that the government plans to re-engineer its online services to improve efficiency. He said The Bahamas was recently ranked number 77 in the “2013 Ease of Doing Business Report”, out of some 185 nations, so there was room for improvement.

Halkitis also said that they will have regular forums and engage in focus groups to ensure inclusivity and participation in the decision making process.

He said the government will launch a Facebook page to nurture community building and networking and he encouraged people to join and like the page. He said the government plans to increase the number of online services and provide 24-hour access and availability to services, allowing fast and convenient transaction processing.

Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said in Parliament last week that the Ministry is marketing The Bahamas as a whole and is targeting niche markets through sports and religious tourism events.

Baha Mar, at $3.5 billion, is said to be the western hemisphere’s largest current resort project, and the most ambitious ever built in The Bahamas. Read Forbes' coverage of the recent topping off ceremony.

The Bahamas Investor
Administrative Links
  


  © 2024 ETIENNE DUPUCH JR PUBLICATIONS LTD