Minister of Communication, Science and Technology Mohamed Maleeh Jamal has expressed the state needs a better e-Government system to improve services provided to the public.
Speaking at the Regional Conversation on Accelerating Digital Connectivity organised by the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Minister Maleeh said the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the world and the country to resort to innovative solutions to provide services. The minister said using innovative solutions to provide services in the past couple of months has proven the government of the Maldives requires a better digital portal to ensure continuity of services.
The minister further stated the government also requires more innovative and contemporary technology instead of the conventional approaches. He added the innovative approaches could include technology that allows working from home.
The communications minister also spoke of the crucial and proactive decisions President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has taken to enhance the testing capacity to detect COVID-19 cases in addition to steps taken to ensure continuity of services. He remarked the connection of atolls to the capital digitally will be a key step to take.
Regional Conversation on Accelerating Digital Connectivity is aimed at wholesome digital reform to move towards digital inclusion and innovation. The conversation was also attended by other senior officials from Asian states including Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, Google in Asia Pacific and Alibaba Globalisation Office.