The eGovernment Authority's new Government Apps Store plans to offer 26 new applications by the beginning of 2014, said a senior official.

The Government Apps Store was launched by Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohammed, the Minister of Transportation during the opening ceremony of MEET ICT 2013 yesterday.  

Announcing the details, vice CEO Dr Zakareya Ahmed AlKhaja said the store currently provides 21 applications and there are plans to increase the total number of apps to 26 by the beginning of 2014.

This is based on the eGovernment strategic objectives to launch 10 new mobile apps annually until 2016.

Dr AlKhaja confirmed that the eGovernment Authority already implemented a set of apps which run on all smart device platforms; recently the authority has launched the Government Apps Store as one-stop shop to research and download required applications easily and conveniently at any time and from anywhere.

A number of applications are developed by the eGovernment Authority in coordination with the related entities, while other applications are launched in the Apps Store after being developed by the public entity.

The top official pointed out there had been a solid growth in the usage of applications among a large cross-section of the population mainly due to the awareness campaigns as well as by reaching-out to the wider public through various channels to provide them with in-depth insights about the applications and their benefits.

"Such surge, in the downloading rate, is a good indicator that assisted in supporting the public's confidence in the governmental entities’ apps which are service-focused in nature. The applications have also enhanced channels of communication with customers, keeping pace with new concepts and modern apps - with a view to carry-out a full range of transactions," he stated.

Dr Al-Khaja also stressed that authority will continue to launch more services through applications to offer a wide arrange of citizen-cenetered government services that meet their needs and expectations, particularly, latest statistics reflect high public response and growing rise in services usage.

In this regard, Payment of Electricity and Water Bills as well as winner of the 2013 GCC eGovernment Award Traffic Contraventions mobile applications are the top apps from September 25 to November 16, 2013, compared to downloading for the same period reaching 714 per cent, the official stated.

Dr AlKhaja said the eGA was is in the process of implementing a diverse package of apps on bahrain.bh/apps. The prospective apps include Fix2Go App (capture and submit images of road faults or non-functioning traffic signals and sanitary complaints, also report any violations); View Government Employee Salary Slip App, Profile Manager App, Islamiyat app (Ramadan services, information about Islam, pilgrims services, mosque locator, prayer timings); and Legal Affairs app (view Bahrain’s law with advanced search facility).

Adeeb Al Mutawa, the director of Information System Directorate at the Electricity and Water Authority, said, "The payment through Electricity and Water Bills App has increased from 6,571 to 15,055 users, (up to 129 per cent). This high ratio reflects the ministry’s efforts to provide services in an easy way consistent with the needs of the public."

Major General Moosa Al Dossari, the director of Traffic Education Directorate, pointed out that the Traffic Contraventions application usage had grown from 7,132 to 48,851 users (up to 585 per cent), thus reflecting the level of public satisfaction with the level and quality of the services through the traffic mobile application.

The eGovernment Authority currently offers 15 apps such as Bahrain Today, NGO Directory, eKiosk & eService Center Locator, Health Locator, Gasoline Octane Inquiry, Student Exam Results, eGuide Bahrain, Electricity and Water Bill Payment, Traffic Services, Postal Services, eGov SMS Services, Flight Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with two other applications which  are (2013 United Nations Public Service Forum, Day and Award Ceremony) and (Bahrain International eGovernment Forum & IT Expo).-TradeArabia News Service