Digital Dubai has announced the launch of phase two of the ‘Emirati’ initiative on the DubaiNow application, adding 16 new services for citizens and bringing the total number of available services to 170.
The upgrade follows the notable demand from citizens to use the platform and the success of the initiative’s first phase, launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, First Vice President of the Dubai Council, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs, with the ‘Emirati’ platform being an initiative of the Higher Committee.
DubaiNow app
The platform saw 20,000 citizens register and actively use its features in just one month since its launch in late February 2023. With this initiative, Digital Dubai aims to provide a unified and comprehensive platform on the DubaiNow app to meet citizens’ needs for city services, and offer them a seamless, safe, and effective experience that enriches their lifestyle.
UAE PASS digital ID
To access the platform, citizens only need to log in to the DubaiNow app using their UAE PASS digital ID, and the ‘Emirati’ initiative interface will appear onscreen.
Matar Al Hemeiri, CEO, Smart Dubai Government Establishment – an affiliate of Digital Dubai – said: “Launching the second phase of the ‘Emirati’ initiative one month after the notable success of the first phase Embodies the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, to consider citizens as the first, second, and third priority in all government plans, and in line with the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, First Vice President of the Dubai Council, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs. We are working with our strategic partners to accelerate citywide digital transformation, introducing advanced platforms that ensure a comfortable lifestyle and offer citizens seamless and effective digital experiences in all areas of their lives.”
“Our end-goal is for the ‘Emirati’ initiative is to include all government services that citizens need before the end of this year, as directed by our wise leadership,” Al Hemeiri added.
“We strive to establish the DubaiNow application as a comprehensive platform where users can easily and seamlessly access most Dubai Government services, allowing them to save time and effort while meeting their every need and aspiration.”
New digital services
The second phase of the initiative saw 16 new digital services added to DubaiNow, which included services from the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment, namely, requesting grants for addition, maintenance, and maintenance for the Establishment’s housing (guarantee period), in addition to canceling an application under study, canceling a request for approval, and requesting liability certificate of indebtedness.
Dubai Municipality
Services from Dubai Municipality were also added, including requesting public health pest control, requesting agricultural pest control, registering and viewing a ‘Bunyan’ card, and browsing authorized contractors, in addition to viewing inflation allowances for electricity and water from the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).
Also on the list are services for the Community Development Authority for ‘Thukher’ Social Club, namely, the nutritional plan, the exercise plan, book downloads, and events.
In its first phase, the initiative allowed citizens to benefit from digital services covering several sectors, including housing and construction grants, which are in line with the ‘Housing’ track, as well as social benefits services, City events, the ‘Esaad’ card, electricity and water subsidies, and others. The services can be directly accessed on the DubaiNow app using UAE PASS, where users are automatically directed to the ‘Emirati’ platform.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com