UAE PM launches rating system for government institutions

The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) prime minister, also the ruler of Dubai, presented Monday a scheme for rating the services of ministries and public institutions, local news agency WAM reported. According to the report, UAE Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Rashi Al-Maktoum said that all service centers at ministries and public institutions will comply with the "star system rating." He added that these centers would be rated from two stars to seven stars according to the quality of their services provided to the private sectors. External auditors will participate in the rating process to ensure the neutrality of the evaluation panel, he said, adding the number of stars would display on the outside of every service center. Mohammed made the remarks during the launch of results of the first phase of rating 75 government centers in accordance with the system on a pilot basis. The assessment process will cover all the service centers in the government agencies across the country by the end of 2014. Earlier February, the UAE prime minister launched the "smart government initiative" with the aim to enable all citizens in the Gulf state to engage government services via smart phones. According to the World Economic Forum, the UAE is the most advanced Middle Eastern country in terms of e-governance. Its 8.8 million residents can pay utility bills, parking and bus tickets and apply for identity cards and other services through smart phones.