Interview
de
vice it operates on; i.e., if it is an iPhone,
then the store will be identical to its theme.
Same wise, if it’s an Android device, the
store’s theme will also be identical, which
will make it easier from a user perspective.
What is the process to publish apps
through the store?
We have developed a strict mechanism
for publishing any app on the store. Once
a federal or local government agency sub-
mits an application to publish its app on
the store, the app goes through a multi-
step approval process. As a first step, the
app enters the smart lab where the app
will be checked for security requirements.
Once passed, it moves into the second
step, where it enters another smart lab that
would run a number of other tests. After
passing the second lab, the applicant will
be notified to coordinate with the mGov
-
ernment App Store in order to provide the
required description by filling a standard
form that is available through the store.
What ismeant by the standard form?
The mGovernment app supports screen-
shots of the existing apps. We have al-
ready prepared a standard form to be used
by all government agencies to provide de-
scription of the apps and their features in a
maximum of 200 words. The form will also
include key words and search priorities.
The aim of introducing such standard
form is to unify the app page for all fed-
eral and local government agencies on
the UAE government App Program, and
to standardize way of presenting informa
-
tion. This should help accelerate access to
information and serve the purpose of the
application offered to users.
What sections does the store com
-
prise?
The mGovernment app store comprises
a number of sections, including ‘search’
in Arabic and English. It also contain a
section for lodging questions and queries
about the store.
Do you expect the new store to
achieve the desired success?
The survey that we conducted about the
store during Gitex 2013 showed a good
amount of positive response. Majority of
the participants said they faced certain dif-
ficulties in reaching smart apps published
by federal and local government agen-
cies, while others said that they were able
to reach some apps, but these turned to
be fake or chargeable ones; although gov-
ernment apps are free. This might make
them victims to cyber fraud.
How many apps does the store fea
-
ture so far?
The store features over 100 smart apps.
This number is expected to remarkably
increase.
Any pre-requisites for the apps to be pub-
lished on the store?
Currently, there are no pre-requisites as
long as the app has been approved by
one of the renowned app stores, such as
Apple App Store.
Would you be receiving complaints
on specific apps if any?
If complaints pertain to the UAE app store,
then these will reach us. However, com
-
plaints pertain to the government app it-
self will not be handled by us, and we will
refer them to concerned app owner. That
said, we urge all concerned authorities to
appoint a contact person who will be in
charge of coordinating with us regarding
the apps.
How do you expect the public to in
-
teract with mGov apps?
I believe mGovernment services will be
widely adopted by the public, particularly
knowing that the strategic objectives of
these services focus on the effective con-
tribution to realizing the UAE Vision that
seeks global pioneering, boosting UAE’s
competitiveness, enhancing government
role and community creativity in the smart
technology area through providing easy
access to high quality government ser-
vices everywhere and round the clock.
Objectives also include reducing govern-
ment operational cost through developing
the means used for providing information,
products and services. I believe all these
factors shall make our services part of us-
ers’ daily lives.
Do you think that the trust issue still
exists in terms of carrying out pay
-
ments through smart apps?
I believe that reliability on government on-
line financial transactions is increasing in
general since government agencies are
keen to highly secure their apps and web-
sites using the latest e-security technolo-
gies.
It supports Arabic & Eng
-
lish with a central location
for new apps
