‘Gov’t to start adopting e-signatures in its transactions’

AMMAN — The government will start adopting e-signatures in all transactions during the first quarter of this year, a government official said Monday.

The e-signature will be used for internal transactions at public entities, between the government and the private sector, and between the government and citizens, a source at the ICT Ministry told The Jordan Times.

“This is a very important step towards increased usage and adoption of e-services in Jordan, a matter that will play a key role in ensuring convenience for users and faster operations in the public sector,” the source said on condition of anonymity.

The new service will be provided in collaboration between the ministry and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), said the source.

There are more than 6.3 million Internet users in Jordan with a penetration rate of about 77 per cent, according to TRC figures.

The introduction of e-signatures in Jordan is a very important step, Jawad Abbassi, head of the Middle East and North Africa region at GSM Association of mobile operators and related companies, told The Jordan Times.

“Any step that makes e-government services truly paperless and seamless is positive,” said Abbassi.

“Adopting e-signatures will help encourage usage of such services on a larger level,” he added.

Public agencies currently provide 100 e-services to citizens, and the government plans to introduce an additional 100 e-services in 2016-2017, and 150 e-services in 2018-2019, ICT Minister Majd Shweikeh said in remarks earlier this week.

The available services can be fully conducted online, from submitting an application or starting a transaction until completion and payment, Shweikeh said at a recent press conference.