Bahrain’s MPs have passed a government-drafted bill that would allow private firms to run some or all of the kingdom’s digital ID services, while the state keeps responsibility for operating the electronic ID system.
Under the bill, the minister in charge could hand the work to public bodies or private firms, under rules governing how they operate and what users pay. Fees and exemptions would be fixed by the minister after Cabinet approval. Bahrain’s national digital identity framework, eKey 2.0, is already used in the private sector, with investment bank SICO opening accounts through it since July.
The bill would also scrap the requirement for separate ministerial orders before government bodies can accept online transactions, letters and electronic signatures. Public bodies would instead follow the same IT and security rules, and could agree to deal electronically either expressly or through their actions.
Dr. Khalid Al Matawaa, deputy chief executive for operations and governance at the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), told MPs the changes would cut red tape and help ministries move to online services faster. “The aim of amending the law was to provide greater flexibility and speed up digital transformation,” he said. Common technical rules would replace the need for each ministry to issue its own order, he said, and would ensure all government bodies meet the same security standards.
MP Mahmood Fardan asked whether meeting those standards would by itself mean a public body had agreed to accept electronic requests. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain said government bodies would have to follow the required rules. “If a ministry or government body complies with these requirements, the request is considered accepted,” he said. If it failed to meet those conditions, the request would not be accepted.
Second Deputy Speaker Ahmed Qarata pressed the iGA for answers before the vote, pointing to differing replies from ministries. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce had said the matter fell outside its remit, while the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications had referred it to the iGA.
Committee rapporteur Mohammed Al Maarafi said the bill would make the law governing electronic dealings and identity services clearer while allowing public bodies to work with private firms. The iGA supported the changes, and Parliament’s Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee found no conflict with the Constitution.
An economic study submitted with the bill said more government work done online could save public money by cutting spending on paper, filing and office work. It said the change could also bring more business to Bahraini technology firms as private providers take on a greater share of digital identity services.
Sources: News of Bahrain
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
