President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that work has begun to bring revolutionary change to the ICT sector. While delivering the Presidential Address at today’s session of the People’s Majlis, the President said that increasing the ICT sector’s contribution to 15% of the country’s GDP by 2030 and providing the benefits of the digital economy to Maldivians is a work that the government is carrying out with special importance.
He said that the government has begun important work to bring revolutionary change to the ICT sector. In this regard, he noted that extensive discussions were held and decisions were made in the Cabinet last week. These include strengthening technology governance, introducing a digital identity card, building a data sharing platform, and strengthening cybersecurity, among many other things.
“Yes, my first trip abroad this year was also a very important trip to pave the way for this,” the President said. He stated that although e-Fass has been developed as a digital ID in the Maldives, it has not been developed to meet international standards and best practices, nor has its architecture been strengthened. Therefore, he said that this area also needs to be developed and advanced to meet international standards. In this regard, he said that an open data sharing platform needs to be developed and the entire system needs to be structured so that all government services can be accessed through applications that provide services through digital identity. He revealed that he wants to bring this modern, big digital revolutionary change to the 21st century Maldives.
The President highlighted that the results of these efforts will be making it easier to eliminate corruption, making government policies more transparent to people, and saving time wasted on submitting letters and other forms. Therefore, the status of matters can be checked through a specific system, and the work being done by the government will be visible instantly. He said that even if someone accesses or changes one’s personal records, one will have the satisfaction and assurance of being able to instantly view the full information.
“This digitalization system will not be established in a particular office or institution. It will be in all state institutions. In one way. To one standard. I want to make such trusted, convenient, modern methods that are advanced in the world a part of the lives of beloved Maldivian citizens,” the President said. He stated that this four-year project will be successfully implemented with the support and assistance of the government and state institution heads and employees, and all beloved Maldivian citizens.
