Bahrain’s Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) has been awarded the Champion Award at the United Nations’ World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) for its outstanding work on revamping the National Portal (bahrain.bh).
Selected from over 1,000 global submissions under the eGovernment category, the iGA’s work was recognized for its impressive features, including user profile personalization, a favorite eServices list, government notifications for various entities, a six-month transaction history, and a smart assistant chatbot.
The portal supports multiple payment methods, including BenefitPay and Apple Pay, and offers secure options through a “Saved Cards” feature, enabling users to store bank or credit cards conveniently.
A representative from Bahrain’s Mission to the United Nations in Geneva received the Champion Award on behalf of the iGA during a special ceremony held in Geneva, Switzerland.
iGA Chief Executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed praised the key features of the portal, highlighting that these enhancements were made under the directives of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT). The goal was to enhance the National Portal and digital channels, improve access to government services, and elevate the user experience.
After several development stages, the portal now offers information on over 1,300 government services, 680+ eServices, and seamless electronic integration with more than 40 public and private entities, boasting monthly visits that exceed 1.5 million.
Al Qaed emphasized the iGA’s commitment to continuously developing eServices since the portal’s launch in 2007, keeping pace with technological advancements and the needs of citizens and residents. He also commended portal users for their significant contributions, cooperation with the iGA, and valuable feedback and suggestions through various interactive channels.
The WSIS, an annual event held in Geneva by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), highlights digital projects that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event is co-organized by the ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, and UNCTAD.
