Manama, Feb. 25 (BNA): As part of government efforts to enhance and re-engineer the quality of services, the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs & Agriculture launched the Agricultural Import Permit issuance service through the Ministry’s website and the national eGovernment portal.

The new digital service aims to develop the mechanism for issuing import permits for plants, plant products, fertilisers, soil enhancers and pesticides, contributing to the unification of procedures, accelerating transaction processing, and improving global performance indicators related to the simplification of goods clearance procedures.

Under the service, the processing time has been reduced from four working days to one working day, in addition to reducing the number of required steps and approvals. The system is linked with a number of government platforms, including commercial registration records, to enable automated data verification. It also allows users to issue and print the import permit following an electronic payment. The service includes options to issue, renew, amend and delete applications, as well as a unified fee mechanism at a single stage to facilitate payment without the need for in-person attendance. The permit is secured with a QR code to verify its validity, enhancing transparency and efficiency, and saving time and effort for importers.

Asim Abdullatif Abdullah, Undersecretary for Agriculture Affairs and Animal Wealth at the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, said that the service reflects the Ministry’s adoption of innovative digital solutions to enhance service efficiency and achieve integration among entities involved in the agricultural trade sector. He noted that it also contributes to improving the business environment and accelerating procedural cycles.

He added that the launch forms part of the continued development of services related to the international trade movement, aimed at simplifying procedures, enhancing user experience, and delivering innovative electronic services aligned with the Kingdom’s digital transformation requirements.

As part of ongoing government efforts to develop and re-engineer government services, more than 1,300 government services have been documented, translated, and published, with around 800 services undergoing development and re-engineering across various government sectors.

This is based on proposals and feedback received regarding government services through the National System for Suggestions and Complaints, Tawasul, investor feedback, and secret shopper reports evaluating government services, as well as the launch of guidance manuals and service level agreements.

These efforts contribute to improving procedural efficiency, enhancing service quality, strengthening beneficiary experience, and supporting the government’s digital transformation journey.

H.K, م.ا.ف