In the presence of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, who serves as the Minister of Interior and chairs the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT), the 10th Bahrain International eGovernment Forum was inaugurated today.
During the event, the minister expressed his gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the forward-looking use of modern technology in serving society, improving citizens' lives, and ensuring decent livelihoods for all. He also commended the government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their initiatives that have significantly contributed to the enhancement of government performance.
Highlighting Bahrain's impressive achievements in the telecommunications sector, the minister noted that the country has achieved 100% Internet penetration across all segments of society. Bahrain's leadership in this domain is evident through its comprehensive transformation of e-services and systems, which currently enjoy a usage rate of 90%.
The minister emphasized that the Government Plan (2023-2026) prioritizes digital transformation, innovation, and the delivery of quality services in line with global best practices. He also pointed out that the rapid technological developments in information and telecommunications have introduced new security concepts, necessitating a departure from conventional practices and a holistic approach to economic, social, and intellectual security.
In this context, the minister highlighted the role of cybersecurity and information security as crucial components of national security. He mentioned that the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communications Technology has formed a committee to assess the capabilities and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in over 160 areas. This committee is working to develop an ethical charter to govern its work and promote a societal culture that enhances the responsible use of AI, safeguarding vital and strategic interests.
Shaikh Rashid underscored the government's high technological readiness and comprehensive digital transformation, which have led to the launch of the first national strategy for the digital economy. This strategy, involving collaboration among all national institutions, will be implemented over the next five years, leveraging the success of interconnected services and systems offered through various channels.
The minister also congratulated entities that received Excellence Awards for their innovative contributions to e-government initiatives, underscoring the pivotal role of information and communications technology in national development.
During the event, Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), highlighted Bahrain's technological readiness and its pioneering role in launching a national government network. This network supports over 5,000 government systems and services and connects more than 45 government entities.
The Minister of Interior and MCICT Chairman presented awards to the winners of the eGovernment Excellence Award. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and the Industry and Commerce Ministry’s Sijiliat website received the best website award for the public sector, while Aluminum Bahrain (Alba) and Benefit won the best website award for the private sector.
Additionally, the Minister of Interior and MCICT Chairman extended honors to the sponsors of the tenth edition of the Bahrain International e-Government Forum.
Furthermore, the minister inaugurated the COMPEX Bahrain Technology Exhibition 2023, which features pavilions specializing in information and communications technology, including those representing ministries and government agencies. The exhibition showcases government digital initiatives and modern technologies aimed at enhancing government operations and services.