GDRFA joins Dubai eGovernment’s GSB platform

Dubai eGovernment has announced that it has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai (GDRFA) to enable the authorized government entities in the emirate to easily obtain customers’ data from the GDRFA electronically using Dubai eGovernment’s Government Service Bus (GSB).

By electronically linking the GDRFA systems with Dubai eGovernment’s GSB, the government beneficiaries in the emirate will be able to electronically obtain customers’ data from the GDRFA database in a prompt, secure and efficient manner and to exchange information on and complete public transactions without the need for customers to move from one department to another for stamps, approvals and information. The GSB platform was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council during Gitex Technology Week 2012.

Commenting on the move, H.E. Ahmad Bin Humaidan, Director General of Dubai eGovernment, said: "This MoU is signed in line with Dubai eGovernment’s strategy to facilitate the transactions of the public and business community with the government and contribute to Dubai's leading position as a key economic hub with the aim of providing government services to citizens, residents, visitors and businesses and giving them an easy, smooth and time-saving access to all these services. It is also signed in response to Dubai eGovernment's call during the recently held Third eTransformation Forum, in which it invited all government entities to join the GSB platform, which is a basic enabler of excellent, integrated services as it facilitates the linkage of eServices and systems in a flexible, secure, cost-effective and prompt manner, thereby allowing the exchange of the information required for completing government transactions.”

"The GSB platform provides the electronic applications required to connect the GDRFA and the beneficiary entities with the aim of saving the time and effort of customers who wish to complete government transactions and obtain all needed approvals and information from a single point. This platform provides every department with a seamless, reliable and fast-performing mechanism to exchange information with other parties, based on the practical concept of interconnected governments," Bin Humaidan added, noting that Dubai eGovernment would also provide the necessary technical support and co-ordination required for the electronic linkage.

Meanwhile, H.E. Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the GDRFA  underlined the importance of interconnecting Dubai government entities for providing high-quality services and facilitating the completion of transactions as soon as possible for the public and customers so as to save their time and effort. Al Marri added that electronic linkage through this platform, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, shows the keenness of the government entities in the emirate on surmounting all the obstacles facing customers by interconnecting government entities through the GSB to enable them to complete their transactions that involve many entities in one government department.

Currently in use by nearly 20 government departments and entities, the GSB contains a common infrastructure that enables these departments to integrate their electronic services into a well-secured and reliable environment. It is intended to provide a link between government eServices and promote more government facilities, such as integration and exchange of information while verifying user identity at the same time.

Developing an integrated infrastructure and a central system that brings together all government entities within a safe, flexible and highly reliable work environment contributes to the integration of government eServices while reducing government expenses. GSB offers government entities an electronic platform to pursue future projects and services at any time. To save time and effort for both the customers and the government, Dubai eGovernment plays an integral role in this platform as a link for government departments in Dubai to exchange databases and supplementary systems.