LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Finance said 12 new services will be made available on its Etimad e-government platform which aims to simplify tendering and procurement across government.

Deputy Minister for Technology & Development Ahmad Alsuwaiyan said the platform has helped to boost transparency and strengthened partnerships with the private sector.

Gulf states are investing heavily in e-services in an effort to make their public services more efficient, reduce bureaucracy and cut costs at a time when government departments are increasingly under pressure to deliver savings.

Among the new Etimad offerings are budget services between government entities and the ministry of finance and a virtual marketplace listing products and services at standard rates under framework agreements.

Contractors and suppliers with financial claims against government entities will also be able to use the platform to submit them. It will also allow private companies to issue bank guarantees and link them to tenders and procurement.

Civil servants needing to travel will be able to use the service to book tickets with Saudi airlines.

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