Business & Money | Monday 31 July, 2017 4:54 am |

Personnel from Sharjah's Department of eGovernment (DeG) recently visited Sharjah International Airport, where they registered their details with the facility’s smart gate system. The visit came in line with the department’s commitment to supporting digital and electronic ventures that facilitate the ease of conducting procedures and which elevate the environment of Sharjah for its residents and visitors.

“DeG’s visit to Sharjah International Airport was conducted to highlight our important role in encouraging government and public sector bodies to adopt the latest technology which services the public in Sharjah with its most advanced and traveler-friendly airport accesses,” said Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of DeG.

Sharjah International Airport’s electronic passport control system was introduced by Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) as part of its efforts to ensure a smooth travel experience and to continue the process of upgrading and developing its aviation infrastructure. DeG is the first government entity to register with the smart gate system, which has been designed to facilitate travel procedures and to ensure Sharjah’s digital progress in line with the directives of His Highness the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.

More than 850,000 passengers have so far passed through the 16 smart gates at Sharjah International Airport’s departure and arrival terminals during the last 9 months, with the interactive barriers enabling travellers to clear passport control within 20 seconds. The facility aims to cut the time required to complete passport control by more than 70 per cent of that taken with conventional methods.

“DeG is dedicated to supporting the digital shift by government institutions and public sector entities in Sharjah and to playing a major role in establishing a sophisticated digital infrastructure in the emirate,” added Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi.

DeG has a remit to creating a knowledge-based society through the provision of an excellence-driven government sector and aims to transform Sharjah’s government sector by establishing innovative online and smart services. It works to achieve this by capitalising on its highly qualified personnel, advanced work procedures and latest technology, in compliance with the best international standards. DeG’s overall goal is to support the emirate’s economic and social development, as well as to facilitate progress in other domains.