New service is in-line with DeG's mission and strategy to incorporate the highest, environmentally-friendly and sustainable standards

Sharjah, 15 March 2017,

As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability and mission to become one of the leading activists in reducing paper waste, Sharjah Department of eGovernment (DeG) has dramatically decreased a reliance on paper processes thanks to its adoption of Zajel correspondence electronic communication software.

Since implementing the technology in Q4 2016, several Sharjah government departments have hailed Zajel as a significant way of cutting down on paperwork, helping to reduce some unsavoury statistics – according to Messe Frankfurt, the UAE accounts for 25% of the overall paper consumption in GCC countries.

Following a series of workshops organised by DeG, which introduced the software to several government departments in Sharjah, the system has received exceptional feedback.

His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, Director General at DeG, said: “Our ultimate goal is to try to become as near to a paperless government as possible. We have seen the advantages in terms of digitised communications, tracking and monitoring documents, ease of use and optimisation of our government department's security. This is an ideal way for us to develop our output and enhance our services by becoming more efficient, effective and environmentally friendly.

“As a department we operate on a basis of consultation and implementation, so this has been an intense time of transition, but one which has been highly successful. The savings in costs translates into the possibility of expenditure elsewhere, which will ultimately benefit the citizens of Sharjah. We have seen a massive uptake in the inter-departmental desire to work with Zajel.”

As Sharjah sets its sights on ecology and sustainability as not just an environmental responsibility, but also as a potentially lucrative industry, the desire to reduce both waste and budgets became a priority.

“In a statement made recently by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, recycling, reuse and reduction is set to become a significant industrial sector,” Sheikh Khalid added.

Zajel, which is an intuitive, bilingual application, equipped with electronic-signature technology and a complete anti-forging protection feature, is more than a bonus in terms of technology. It also contributes to making considerable solutions and processes to saving the planet, reducing the consumption of paper. Accordingly, reports show that one ton of paper is the equivalent to approximately 17 trees, and 1,800 litres of water is used to make 100 sheets of paper.

“Waste reduction in all its forms is an asset to any organisation and in government, the sheer volume of paper in official processes and procedures means that hard copy documents may have been vital in the past, but are rapidly becoming obsolete. Our progress in Sharjah is making that ambition become a reality, and it may be that our goals and achievements are helping to send those messages even further afield,” Sheikh Khalid concluded..

DeG seeks to contribute to building a knowledge-based society through achieving excellence in digital and electronic transformation in the government sector, in addition to providing innovative electronic and digital services, employing highly skilled staff and utilising advanced operating procedures and technological systems, which meet international standards. DeG also seeks to support the growth of economic, social and cultural affairs in the emirate, which forms part of the comprehensive strategy to achieve sustainable development in the UAE. DeG works in collaboration with other government entities in the pursuit of transparency and corporate governance as benchmarks to elevate its functions through the use of modern programmes, notably, the ‘Information, Communication, Multimedia’ trilogy.

-Ends-

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About DeG:
Established through a local Decree No. 41 of 2009, DeG seeks to contribute to building a knowledge-based society through achieving excellence in digital and electronic transformation in the government sector, in addition to providing innovative electronic and digital services, employing highly skilled staff and utilising advanced operating procedures and technological systems, which meet international standards. DeG also seeks to support the growth of economic, social and cultural affairs in the emirate, which forms part of the comprehensive strategy to achieve sustainable development in the UAE. DeG works in collaboration with other government entities in the pursuit of transparency and corporate governance as benchmarks to elevate its functions through the use of modern programmes, notably, the ‘Information, Communication, Multimedia’ trilogy.

In order to achieve its goals, DeG develops strategies, plans, programmes, applications and services of eGovernment, which includes the construction of infrastructure, the development and employment of common technical specifications and standards and the ensuring of digital and eGovernment services in all public agencies.

© Press Release 2017