UAE Gov Apps
Interview
Featuring e-safety, simplicity and usability,
Maher Al Mulla:
Launching the app store
raises public’s awareness of mGov services
W
hile developing the world’s first store for smart applications launched re
-
cently, UAE’s Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) was mindful
of the government’s quest to streamline access of users to government servic-
es through smart applications. The new store is an easy-to-use platform that is
used by federal and local government agencies to publish their apps. Through
the store, TRA aims to raise the public’s awareness of smart apps so that smart
government services become part of the daily life of all people.
As such, TRA designed the store with a
large number of features, including ease
of access, usability, attractive design, Ara-
bic and English support, smooth and pre
-
cise search system.
Maher Al Mulla, mGovernment Project Di
-
rector, briefed mGovernment Magazine on
the new store and projects that will imple-
mented by the project team in the future.
What is the store’s key concept?
The UAE mGovernment app store is an
application that features all smart applica-
tions developed by federal and local gov-
ernment agencies.
Themain concept of the store lies in provid-
ing the original app’s link on the app store,
making it easy for users to access the app.
The store will be available through Apple
App Store and Android, linking directly to
all mGovernment applications.
Currently, we are in touch with government
agencies to provide their apps through the
new store.
Will the store contain all federal and
local government apps?
Yes, the store will feature all smart appli-
cations developed by UAE’s federal and
local government entities under a unified
window that will embrace all government
apps in a comprehensive wallet on smart
devices. This helps simplify users’ access
to these apps and services, particularly
that it could be difficult, sometimes, to find
particular smart apps. For example, when
searching for “fines” on Apple App Store,
“Google Store” or “Google Play”, search
results will show ‘Dubai Police’ as well as
other apps that could be fake, loaded with
viruses or chargeable ones. Moreover, the
fact that some apps are published with
symbolic names and not with their com-
mon names makes it difficult to find such
apps.
However, being part of a smart govern
-
ment app store, these apps shall gain
customers’ trust. The moment a user is in
the app store, he/she will be able to see
all apps launched by government entities.
The store will raise people’s awareness of
the importance of the applications avail-
able through it, and will offer government
agencies a platform to easily promote their
apps.
Apparently, the store will be the best place
to search and install available apps, mak-
ing lives of those who avail government
services much easier. It will also enhance
