Bahrain Rera, iGA launch new real estate licensing system
MANAMA, October 18, 2020
Bahrain's Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Rera) said it has joined forces with the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) to launch a new real estate licensing system and associated eServices, which are available through the national portal (bahrain.bh).
The launch was conducted virtually through a meeting attended by Rera CEO Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and other iGA officials including CEO Mohammad Ali Al Qaed, Deputy Chief Executive for Electronic Transformation Dr Zakareya Ahmed Al Khajah.
In the first phase, Rera's licensing system will include a set of electronic services for brokers and sales agents, licence applications, fee payments, application status inquiries, licence renewals and access to updated Rera lists and documents required for issuing or updating licences.
Speaking at the launch, Shaikh Mohammed said: "This new licensing system represents the combined and concerted efforts of both iGA and Rera. I wish to thank the iGA team for their commitment and support in bringing the licensing system to fruition."
"It is another example of government’s organisations working effectively together to deliver more efficient services to the Bahrain business community," stated the Rera chief.
"This is a further enhancement of services delivered electronically by Rera, thus removing the need for personal attendance at our offices, particularly relevant at this time through the challenges," he noted.
Lauding the Rera board chaired by Shaikh Salman bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the Survey and Land Registration Bureau, for its support, Shaikh Mohammed said: "We in Rera are very keen to ensure the range of services provided are delivered in the most efficient and effective way possible, by maximizing the use of electronic channels."
"We are always interested in getting the feedback from Rera service users which can then be factored into future service enhancement," he stated.
The eServices covered by this first phase will be added to the broader list of services iGA provides to citizens and residents through the National Portal bahrain.bh.
The iGA had established an integrated system between the two parties to ensure these services meet the highest levels of quality and security. The backend system was developed in accordance with the latest Amazon Web Services (AWS) standards, optimizing cloud computing technologies, and integrating and linking it to national systems and services, such as the eKey.
The Rera system is also integrated with the population registry system, Sijilat, the National Payment Aggregator (NPA), and all data related to real estate, making it user-friendly to the public and Rera.
Al Qaed said that iGA had always emphasised the importance of the real estate sector as a pillar of economic development and laws and e-services needed to be continuously amended to attract foreign investment.
Commending Rera for its commitment to national digital transformation plans, Al Qaed said its team members had played a vital role in bringing traditional services to the digital world.
He said iGA will continue its co-operation with Rera to provide even more eServices for citizens and residents, saving time and effort for both service providers and beneficiaries.
The upcoming phases of the Rera licensing system will be launched and will include services for the other licensee categories, including developers, property managers and owners’ association managers, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
