-‘Benayat’ Initiative to Enhance Performance of all Sectors & Stimulate Investment Opportunities
29 Dec 2018
Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) Mr. Mohamed Ali AlQaed stated that the bundle of initiatives launched recently by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad AlKhalifa - the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister – will enhance the effectiveness and performance of all sectors in the Kingdom including the initiatives related to the real-estate and infrastructure sector. ‘Benayat’, an online portal created for the issuance of building permits, is one of such important initiatives launched by His Royal Highness during the 3rd Government Forum 2018 in October. The system enables significant transformation in the way building permits are issued allowing a faster, more convenient experience that should stimulate investment opportunities. Especially that the automation of services, issuance of a unified guidebook for building permit requirements and the re-engineering of processes have all contributed to a remarkable reduction in the time it takes to issue a permit.
In this regard, AlQaed explained that the Authority has played a key role in implementing such system by studying and determining its requirements as well as re-engineering several procedures concerned with the permits – in collaboration with the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning along with other concerned public and private entities. AlQaed also stressed the importance of pursuing a high-level quality of government services by involving the private sector to achieve a sustainable economic growth in line with Vision 2030.
Furthermore, AlQaed highlighted that a crucial aspect when designing Benayat was considered to ensure that the period of issuing a building permit is reduced to no more than 5 days in comparison to several months in the past. This was made possible by linking the system to the national geographic database (BSDI) which enables investors and engineering offices to instantly identify the requirements of their lands and in return help them in preparing the necessary drawings and documents. Other contributing factors include providing the unified guidebook for building permit requirements on the website so as to promote transparency in requirements as well as setting in place performance indicators in the system to ensure quality of service.
The first phase of Benayat – that has been launched - involves the issuance of new building permits for all types of real-estate projects which exceed an area of 50 square meters. The upcoming phases shall include all other types of building related permits such as additions to existing buildings and demolishing. The system will also include the remaining processes in the building cycle such as start of construction and service connectivity. Benayat is the first government portal launched through the Cloud Computing System which reduces the costs associated with system management and ensures continuity of operations with no interruptions. Through these projects, the Authority aims to support the eTransformation process for all public entities by delivering the largest number of government eServices.