Smart Dubai’s ‘Paperless Strategy’ initiative has completed its first phase and has managed to cut its use of paper by 57 percent – saving 37 million papers in total. The initiative seeks to transfer all applicable government transactions to digital platforms by 12/12/2021.
Six government organizations have participated: Dubai Police, Dubai Electricity and Water (DEWA), Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai Land Department (DLD), and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
Dr. Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Director General of Smart Dubai, stated: “The full digital transformation and elimination of paper transactions by 2021 is now closer than ever. The results we’ve achieved so far demonstrate that the transition towards a paperless government will reflect positively on the government services offered to people in Dubai, improving their lives in the process. We are delighted to be announcing this accomplishment right as we usher in a new phase of government operations – one that is rooted in Dubai’s principles of governance, as well as the annual action plan outlined in the Fifty-Year Charter.
Wesam Lootah, CEO of the Smart Dubai Government Establishment (SDG) explained that the Dubai Paperless Strategy was designed with three key fundamentals:
- technology – where digital platforms and solutions are used to ensure paper-free government transactions and procedures;
- legislation – where the necessary legislative changes are made to regulate paperless transactions across all entities; and,
- a paper-free culture, – seeking to overcome cultural barriers of individuals and institutions to promote paperless transactions and procedures.
“The entire experience must be fully digital and presented to the user as an integrated experience, which will save each resident of Dubai 40 hours a year, which would otherwise be spent traveling between service centers processing various paperwork, “ said Lootah.
