Dubai: Smart Dubai Office has launched an electronic platform “Dubai Now” that will act as a one-stop shop to access all government services in the Emirate of Dubai.
The state-of-the-art platform is the latest in Smart Dubai’s range of smart services; it complements the Dubai Now app — the integrated platform for the city’s services that caters to individuals — which was launched by Smart Dubai in 2015.
The Dubai Now app is available for free on Google Playstore for downloading.
All services available on the application will be integrated into the Dubai Now website.
The step aims to facilitate round-the-clock and easy access to best-in-class services through new channels, which will reflect on the happiness and satisfaction of the residents and visitors of Dubai.
Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Director-General of the Smart Dubai Office, attended the launch at a workshop along with Wesam Lootah, CEO of Smart Dubai Government.
Dr Bin Bishr noted that the initiative echoes the ambitious vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the ‘smartest and happiest city’ in the world.
It also follows the directive from Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai’s Executive council, who has called for aggregating all of Dubai’s government services in one place, and to position Dubai as a model for smart and happy cities.
“The Dubai Now platform highlights the importance of close cooperation between government and private entities to offer smart services for Dubai residents,” Dr. Bin Bishr said. “Building smart cities requires the consolidation of efforts among all relevant organisations to offer best-in-class services. This will ensure a top-of-the-line experience for all users, which helps achieve the Happiness Agenda set by Smart Dubai.”
Lootah said: “By launching Dubai Now, Smart Dubai will work to consolidate and harness efforts among all government entities. We will spare no effort to provide cutting-edge smart services for users. At the same time, we will encourage government entities to strengthen cooperation and provide a unified centre for services in Dubai, one that caters to companies and individuals alike, allowing for government entities to add or upgrade their services directly.”
“Dubai Now is a comprehensive platform providing more than 55 services from 24 government departments, as well as semi-governmental and private entities in Dubai,” Lootah said. “The platform is an extension of Dubai NOW’s smart application, which allows customers to access government services easily and seamlessly, all from one portal. Smart Dubai continues to drive digital innovation in services to ensure their accessibility to all categories of customers.”
The Dubai Now platform targets all members of the public, the business sector, and visitors. It compiles government services and integrates them in an effort to provide easy and smooth access.
Powerful platform
The platform includes 11 categories of services: security and justice, public transport, payments and bills, visas and residence, driving, health, business and employment, education, housing, Islam, and miscellaneous.
The smart services provided through the platform include locating the nearest car registration centre; payment of traffic violations, water and electricity bills, and Etisalat and Du fees; topping up Salik and Nol cards; accessing Dubai Customs accounts; and services such as “Ajari”, “Makani”, and “Criminal Case Look-up”. The platform also allows users to donate to Dubai Cares, Al Jalila Foundation, and others.
