Manama: Bahraini identity cards will be issued for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals and investors living in the kingdom.
“The measure is endorsed on every GCC resident or investor whose residency exceeded six months during the previous year from the date of entering the Kingdom and who has an authenticated, officially recognised address,” Information and eGovernment Authority (IGA) Chief Executive Mohammad Al Qaed said.
“The decision aims to provide more facilities to GCC residents and investors in Bahrain when conducting their transactions at various service departments. This procedure reflects the strengthening of ties and relations with neighbouring countries and provides the opportunity to attract GCC investments and inter-exchanges.”
The GCC, established in 1981, is made up of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
GCC citizens can enter GCC countries by using their national ID cards and without the need for their passports.
“Through the issuance of the Bahraini identity card, the IGA is keen on simplifying the transaction procedures for GCC residents and investors in Bahrain as well as accelerating the access of public and private services in the most convenient methods and in accordance with the highest levels of security, confidentiality and quality of services,” Al Qaed said in a statement.
“This step comes in pursuit of enhancing and supporting the coordinating steps taken by the GCC Steering Committee for Smart Cards and its initiatives in support of the directives of the GCC leaders to promote further integration. It is in line with Royal Decree 2 for 2013 regarding the usage of the identity card as a proof of a unified identity when conducting transactions and the Bahraini ID will increase the provision of more innovative services that achieve greater user satisfaction.”
The measure is also consistent with the eGovernment’s national strategy and the authority’s execution of online transactions that benefit citizens and residents alike, he added.
