SINGAPORE: Part of ongoing effort by the Kuwaiti government to bolster the e-government approach, the Interior Ministry is soon to launch a Short Message Service (SMS) for some of its transactions and services. Information Systems Department Director Lt Col Nasser Al-Mutairi announced the planned service yesterday, on the sidelines of a conference held for the benefit of Kuwaiti institutions. Over 30 institutions are taking part in the sessions on electronic government and services. The service would include issue of reminders of expiry date of permits and like, notifications of traffic violations and fines, and of general security announcements and information.

The official said the launch of the service is hoped to reduce pressure on the ministry's departments and the number of people seeking their service at peak hours and peak seasons. It would also help avoid expiry of permits and related fines and paper work, which saves time, effort, and expense.

Al-Mutairi said the ministry is taking part in the sessions to benefit from renowned Singaporean expertise in e-government and services. The ministry is to incorporate the benefits into its effort to create an integrated electronic network linking all state bodies in Kuwait, he added.

Expansion in e-services, he pointed out, is a priority at present as part of overall efforts to improve service to members of the public. The ministry, he stressed, was among the first state bodies and is the leading body in Kuwait offering electronic services.

The Ministry of Interior's website currently provides access to services including inquiries over traffic violations, payment of fines, and access to information such as visas and residence status and fines, voter records, drivers license records and inquiries, and more.

Meanwhile, the Civil Service Commission is keen on incorporating the latest technology and communications and electronic applications to improve its performance and services, CSC Undersecretary Mohammad Hamad Al-Roumi said.

The remark was on the sidelines of participation in a conference on electronic government services held here for the benefit of Kuwaiti institutions. The official pointed out many government electronic services are now available to the public as well as government bodies and staff. Such a visit to Singapore would help learn from others' expertise in fields such as electronic communications, information systems, planning and managing such applications and services, and much more that would help our government as it seeks to turn more digital, he said.

Al-Roumi pointed out Singaporeans are renowned in this field and the field visits during the Kuwaiti officials' visit would help them learn from the great Singaporean expertise. Having already signed agreements with Singapore for cooperation in this field, Al-Roumi said the delegation would benefit from dialogue, field visits, and interaction with their peers.

Kuwait now has access to many electronic services provided by the commission through its automated system. Members of the public could get information about all services provided for them by state bodies. Administrative services at the respective state bodies in turn improves with any improvement at the commission, which constantly seeks development.

The commission's automated projects include the central employment system which matches job seekers to vacancies, a salary payment system, and many internet services. Kuwait Civil Service Commission is taking part in the electronic government services conference along with over 30 Kuwait state bodies seeking to do their part in the switch to e-government. - Kuwait Times