The Bahrain’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has launched an electronic usufruct contract service, enabling eligible citizens to complete contract approvals digitally with greater speed and efficiency as part of ongoing efforts to enhance public services and streamline procedures.
Under the new electronic usufruct contract service, processing time has been reduced from five working days to two, enabling beneficiaries to approve contracts online without the need for in-person visits.
The electronic usufruct contract service saves time and effort, minimizes required visits, and provides a reliable electronic reference that can be accessed when needed. It is fully automated across all stages, from contract approval to completion, eliminating paper-based transactions and supporting improved government efficiency.
Amina bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Baharini Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, affirmed that the electronic usufruct contract service is integrated with the National System for Government Document Verification, with each contract assigned a QR code enabling beneficiaries and relevant entities to instantly verify contract details through the official platform. This strengthens document credibility and facilitates ease of verification.
The minister added that the launch responds to public proposals submitted through various channels, aiming to simplify procedures, reduce time and effort, and eliminate paper-based processes, while providing a secure and transparent digital environment aligned with best technological practices.
Key features of electronic usufruct contract service
The service includes three main features:
Electronic approval of usufruct contracts without personal attendance
The ability to view approved contracts
Downloading documents, enhancing access to information and clarity of procedures.
The ministry noted that, as part of ongoing government efforts to develop and re-engineer services, more than 1,300 government services have been documented, translated, and published, with 800 undergoing development and re-engineering across various sectors.
These improvements were informed by feedback and proposals received through the national suggestions and complaints system ‘Tawasul’, investor feedback, and mystery shopper reports evaluating government services. Guidance manuals and service level agreements have also been introduced, contributing to improved efficiency, enhanced service quality, a better user experience, and advancing the government’s digital transformation agenda.
