The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Government's My Gateway online portal has processed 130,000 applications and collected $4m in revenue since it was launched more than two years ago, it was disclosed yesterday.

Patrick Davis, national co-ordinator for information technology in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, confirmed the portal's impact as it launched 12 new online services that will be provided for the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs.

“We are excited to partner with a ministry such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs as we together usher in a new way of doing business in The Bahamas by making government services available online through a central web portal," Mr Davis said.

“We are fortunate to have also worked with a number of other agencies like the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Passport Office, the Post Office, Royal Bahamas Police Force, Registrar General, Road Traffic Department and more than ten other agencies to streamline their operations by digitising their respective service portfolio.

"Today, with our partners at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), we have made significant strides in our digital journey individually, collectively and nationally. Since the launch of My Gateway in February 2021, we have succeeded in launching over 65 services online, processed over 130,000 applications and collected in excess of $4m in revenue for The Bahamas government.”

Clay Sweeting, minister of agriculture, marine resources and Family Island Affairs, said his ministry will provide the most online services via the My Gateway portal with 12. He added that he will continue to “widen the gap” between his ministry and the other government agencies.

“As the minister responsible, and as a primary objective of my ministry in the digital age, I have prioritised the needs of our clients to access our services online, whether they themselves be on the land or on the sea," Mr Sweeting said.

"For the first time in this nation’s history, customers of this ministry can now apply and pay for the following services online at MyGateway.gov.bs: In the Ministry of Agriculture: Market at Gladstone Road – vendor application, and the agriculture farm land lease application.

"In the Department of Agriculture, applications for farmer’s registration – new and renewal; dog registration and licence – new, renewal, and transfer; and CITES plants permits, including orchids. In the Department of Marine Resources: bonefishing - duty-free permit; aquaculture (culture fishery resource) duty-free permit; and commercial fishing vessel/equipment duty-free permits," the minister added.

“Today, your government, recognising the signs of the time, has now made it easier for you to apply for services online, eliminating bureaucracy and wasted time. No more hassle, no more travelling to New Providence if you live elsewhere just to complete a form.”