Government e-service delivery has been expanded with more integrated e-services and a more user-friendly interface. In their continuing efforts to transform public service delivery, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) unveiled the enhanced eCitizen portal today...
Singapore, 17 October 2001 | For Immediate Release
Revamped portal is more user-friendly and brings more convenience and benefits to the public
Government e-service delivery has been expanded with more integrated e-services and a more user-friendly interface. In their continuing efforts to transform public service delivery, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) unveiled the enhanced eCitizen portal today.
Through the joint efforts and collaboration of government agencies, the two-year-old eCitizen portal has been revamped and the number of towns has increased from nine to 14, presenting a total of more than 500 e-services.
Panneer Selvan, Head (Managing for Excellence), MOF, said, "eGovernment enables us to deliver public services with a convenience, speed and accessibility never possible before. The eCitizen portal represents a transformation of the way government services are delivered to the public. The portal adds value to citizens by organising government services based on the needs of citizens rather than how government agencies are organised. It integrates public services across government agencies, so that we can deliver public services with one-stop convenience to Singaporeans. The eCitizen portal embodies the concept of "Many Agencies, One Government" so that our citizens can enjoy greater convenience as well as time and cost savings."
New Towns and e-Services
The revamped eCitizen portal features an improved interface which provides easier navigation and improves accessibility to information. With just a few clicks, users will be able to access new or popular e-services on the portal.
With the addition of five new towns - Elections, Library, Sports, Recreation and Travel, the eCitizen portal will also be offering a host of new e-services.
The Sports Town will offer e-services to help Singaporeans develop a sporting lifestyle. Besides retrieving information and advice on basic exercises, games and sports, users will also be able to book and pay for sports facilities online.
For information on the best recreational sites and places of interest in Singapore, citizens can visit the new Recreation Town. Users can also submit online applications to hold activities in parks, as well as check the availability of facilities or register for courses online at Community Centres.
For those who are planning to go overseas, Travel Town will provide useful online information and services on consular services, passport/visa applications, exit permits and flight information. The public can also pick up timely travel tips.
Examples of new e-services on the revamped eCitizen portal include the GovMall, online application and payment for safety and health courses and the One Stop Public Entertainment Licensing Centre (OSPEC).
GovMall, a one-stop online government goods mall which will be available from 2 November 2001, will offer a comprehensive selection of government publications and merchandise. These include items as diverse as souvenirs from the Singapore Parliament, plans from the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and heath-related publications from the Ministry of Health.
Through Employment Town, the public will be able to apply and pay online (using Internet Direct Debit) for safety and health courses and seminars organised by the Occupational Safety & Health Centre.
OSPEC provides a one-stop solution for applicants to set up public entertainment outlets. Located at Business Town, OSPEC will allow applicants to make a single application to a range of agencies involved in granting the relevant licences and permits. This service allows the public to make just one application and not bother about how the different government agencies involved work together to process the application.
Ms Tan Swee Hua, Director, Electronic Services Division of IDA, said, "With the new towns and e-services on the portal, users will be able to find more information and services to meet their lifestyle needs. Individuals will also find it easier to locate frequently accessed e-services on the streamlined, enhanced interface."
"To increase awareness and adoption of the expanded range of government e-services, we are launching an advertising campaign to bring the public's attention to the eCitizen portal. The public can navigate the portal and participate in an online quiz as well as see the eCitizen portal 'come to life' at the Government e-Services Exhibition in November," she said.
Advertisements on the portal will be placed in major local newspapers, buses, bus shelters, MRT trains and radio stations from October 18 2001. An online quiz will be hosted on the website from October 18 to November 25, 2001. Each week, 10 winners who answer the questions correctly will each receive a S$100 shopping voucher.
Government e-Services Exhibition
The eCitizen portal and its towns will 'come to life' at the Government e-Services Exhibition from 23 - 25 November at the Learning Expo 2001 to be held at the Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre. (Please refer to the Government e-Services Exhibition fact sheet for more details on the showcase)
Following the theme - "Towards Citizen-Centred Services - eGovernment and YOU", the public will be able to experience first hand how easy and convenient it is to use government e-services. The exhibition will showcase 13 different towns: Business, Defence, Education, Employment, Family, Health, Housing, Library, Recreation, Safety & Security, Sports, Transport and Travel.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Notes to Editor:
The eCitizen portal is the Singapore government's first stop on the web for a wide range of government services. All services and information on the eCitizen portal are conveniently categorised according to lifestyle needs. These include: Business, Defence, Education, Elections, Employment, Family, Health, Housing, Library, Recreation, Safety & Security, Sports, Transport and Travel. Users can experience a world of convenience and benefits by retrieving information and transacting online with government ministries and agencies. The eCitizen portal is owned by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and managed by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA).
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is a dynamic organisation with an integrated perspective to developing, promoting and regulating info-communications in Singapore. In the fast-changing and converging spheres of telecommunications, information and media technologies, IDA will be the catalyst for change and growth in Singapore's evolution into a vibrant global info-communications technology centre. For more information, please visit www.imda.gov.sg.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mr Kelvin Lee
Manager, Corporate Communications Department
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
DID: 211 1726
Email: kelvin_lee@imda.gov.sg
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