Sharjah Department of eGovernment (DeG) announced at GITEX Technology Week 2017 that it is to connect 31 government entities and departments from the emirate, as part of its first phase of implementing a unified digital network to link all government entities and departments by 2020. The first phase will officially kick-off with services streamlined and optimised within those entities by end of year 2017.

The initiative will transform government services, allowing full integration and inter-departmental communication, paving the way for dynamic public services to all citizens and residents within the emirate.

The policy comes in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, after issuing a resolution earlier this week to form The Supreme Committee for Digital Transformation. The committee aims to implement digital transformation in line with global best-practice standards providing regional and international e-services.

DeG’s mission behind the project is to reinforce government entities with a unified digital platform that features integrated accessibility, higher bandwidth frequencies and enhanced security standards. Being fully owned and operated by the Government of Sharjah, the new project will function as a single integrated network and will support government entities with a more immediate, reliable and transparent communication system between staff members, users, citizens and investors.

Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director-General of DeG, said: “This transformation will provide government departments with a more multi-dimensional communication strategy with their customers and end-users, developing services such as applications, permits, authorisations and much, much more in a fraction of the time.”

He added: “It is a key step forward with the potential to alter the way we organise our daily lives, allowing a safer, more integrated and streamlined exchange of information, making processes and procedures faster and more efficient than ever before. As soon as 2020, we will see many of the enormous benefits of this revolutionary digital transformation. This is a true milestone for Sharjah in both its public sector progress and its technology achievements.”

He continued: “Sharjah has made a concerted and determined effort to encompass innovation and play a leading regional role in developing digitalised government services. The unified digital network is a testament to that, as well as emirate’s technical knowledge, spirit of innovation, ambition and above all the welfare of its citizens.”

In another major launch, DeG also unveiled its exclusive ‘chatbot’, a computer programme designed to simulate human behaviour and communication, named ‘Sharjah Government’s AI’. The prototype was showcased through a large interactive screen allowing visitors the opportunity to interact and experience the full spectrum of features.

DeG also highlighted that the ‘chatbot’ will be an added service to its existing service catalogue across all of the emirate’s government entities.

Among other innovations making headlines at GITEX, new digital services, applications and websites from the Sharjah Police Academy, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sharjah Department of Town Planning and Survey, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, the Sharjah Economic Development Department and many more have all contributed to the new wave of Sharjah’s digital transformation.

Forty-eight Sharjah local government entities and departments are taking part in GITEX Technology Week 2017, which runs until October 12 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, with many innovative digital applications and services still to be unveiled by Sharjah Pavillion, organised by the DeG and themed ‘History and Communication’.

The GITEX Technology Week 2017 will see the participation of 4,100 exhibitors from 70 countries with 155 exhibitors taking part in the event for the first time. The event offers a leading platform for companies to launch their latest ICT innovations and products, and the 37th edition of the event addresses the standards of digital transformation, arterial intelligence and virtual reality.

GITEX is a gateway for leading global brands to the Middle East, one of the fastest emerging investment ready ICT markets.