GovTech: Fuss-free data sharing
The newly-minted Government Technology Agency (GovTech) will spearhead the Government's digital and data strategy. Citizens and businesses can look forward to better and more citizen-centric services. We look at how different groups of people can benefit from its initiatives
IF YOU ARE...
IN NEED OF SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
GovTech is working with the Ministry of Social and Family Development on Social Service Net (SSNet), an integrated case management and information system for voluntary welfare organisations and government agencies to better share information and help the community in need of social services.
GovTech chairman Ng Chee Khern said: "This means social assistance clients do not have to repeat their story when they approach different agencies for help and they do not need to produce multiple sets of the same documents that may have been collected by participating agencies.
"For social service professionals, such as social workers from the family service centres and MSF officers, SSNet enables them to better coordinate their efforts, which translates to better outcomes for the clients."
ELDERLY OR LESS TECH-SAVVY
The 26 Citizen Connect Centres (CCCs) will be upgraded, starting with pilots at the Toa Payoh Central and Chong Pang Community Centres, and Our Tampines Hub by the end of this year.
CCCs cater to those who do not have computers or an Internet connection, and those who need help to use government e-services.
Mr Ng said: "GovTech and Ministry of Finance will work together to enhance CCCs to make it even easier for users to self-help by upgrading the equipment and redesigning the online interfaces."
A PARENT
You will be able to settle payments and consent forms for your child's school-related activities and programmes securely - if the joint trial by GovTech and the Education Ministry is successful.
Parents Gateway will be tested with five schools from the end of this year.
Mr Ng said: "Parents Gateway is a digital platform that will make it more convenient for parents to interact with schools on key administrative and financial matters, and reduce dependence on paper forms."
A WORKING PROFESSIONAL
GovTech and the Ministry of Finance are working with the Monetary Authority of Singapore to explore extending the use of MyInfo to the financial sector next year in the form of a proof-of-concept.
MyInfo is a consent-based platform where users who choose to use the feature will need to provide their personal data only once to the Government, instead of doing so repeatedly for every electronic transaction.
This means applications for a flat or a foreign domestic worker will become more fuss-free.
Most relevant SingPass-authenticated digital services will be linked to the MyInfo platform by 2018.
This will help working professionals save time, avoid mistakes and eventually do away with physical documents as verification to complete transactions, said Mr Ng.
Towards more efficient E-services
The Government Technology Agency (GovTech) is leading the public sector in riding the wave of digital revolution.
And no one will be left behind, said its chairman Ng Chee Khern.
He told The New Paper: "The Government touches almost every area of people's life and work in Singapore.
"We want our citizens to enjoy more meaningful, impactful government digital services that are delivered to them at key moments in their lives, be it primary school enrolment, getting married, retirement or old age."
GovTech was born from the restructuring of the Infocomm Development Authority and the Media Development Authority of Singapore.
STREAMLINE
At its launch yesterday, Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim outlined initiatives that will streamline government transactions and make government e-services more user-friendly.
This includes extending MyInfo - a digital portal with citizens' personal data - to the banking industry next year in the form of a proof-of-concept.
Businesses will also benefit from the National Trade Platform - a one-stop trade information management platform to support companies in the trade and logistics industry, as well as adjacent sectors.
Dr Yaacob stressed the importance of being forward-looking and embracing technological change in today's digital age in order to become a Smart Nation.
He said: "The Government also has a big role to play by setting the example and applying ICT (info-comm technology) and related engineering solutions to improve our quality of life, create opportunities for businesses, and drive productive and efficient government processes."
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