The government is looking to upgrade its digital platform with the help of a loan of $30 million from the Inter-American Development Bank for the purpose of financing the Government Digital Transformation to Strengthen Competitiveness Programme.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis tabled a Resolution to this effect in the House of Assembly January 30; it was subsequently debated and passed.

The digitization programme is expected to update government procedures, design and implement a government cloud computing service that will allow government agencies to access a shared e-government infrastructure and applications, update the citizen portal and place government procedures online, among other wide-ranging services.

“Our citizens are more digitally connected and have become far more comfortable accessing services online. There has been increased usage of online shopping, online banking and other services. The government must also create a better experience for citizens by making more services available online,” the Prime Minister said.

The government has already begun this process through the establishment of a Modernization Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister, with the sole mandate of transformation, including digital evolution, of government services.

Another goal is to create an efficient public service committed to improving the ease of doing business with the government, the Prime Minister said.

“We must make government work for the people instead of people working for the government. Our services must become more efficient, easier to access, transparent and faster, not just for business but for every Bahamian,” he said.