The programme held at the Civil Defence Club auditorium was attended by representatives from the departments of Information System, Unified Services, Search and Follow-up and Criminal Investigation.

A sizeable section of the gathering included managers and middle management personnel from various companies and institutions in the country.

The seminar was held to introduce the company managers and their PR/HR officers to the services of the GDBPEA and its departments, Residence Law No 4/2009, Metrash2 and other electronic services and rules on the entry and exit of expatriates in the country.

Capt Abdullah Khalifa al-Muhannadi from the technical office of the GDBPEA, head of Mesaimeer Services Centre Maj Yousuf Abdullah al-Muhaizia, head of Search and Investigation in the Search and Follow-up Department Maj Abdul Rahman Fakhroo, First Lt Mohamed al-Haidoos from the GDBPEA, Lt Jassim Saleh al-Sulaiti from the Information Systems Department and Warrant Officer Mohamed al-Saadi from the Criminal Investigation Department addressed the seminar.

Capt al-Muhannadi opened the seminar by explaining some of the services offered by the directorate for the public and the procedures involved. He said the seminar was aimed at creating awareness among company managers and others who deal with the directorate on Residence Law No 4/2009 and services provided by the GDBPEA through e-government and Metrash2.

Lt al-Sulaiti explained the Metrash2 smartphone app that facilitates access to more than 60 services of the ministry electronically without having to resort to the departmental headquarters or services centres. 

These services include traffic, visa, residence, exit permit and more, he said, adding that the MoI’s plan is to provide electronic services in order to transform itself into a paperless ministry.

First Lt al-Haidoos urged the company representatives and attendees to utilise the facilities provided by the MoI through Metrash2 and other electronic services as this would help save their time and effort and reduce the burden on the directorate’s headquarters and its services centres.

Maj al-Muhaizia presented on the role of the Unified Services Department in managing the service centres and the vigilance of the department to get in touch with customers.

He pointed out that the department has opened special sections for women and persons with special needs at all service centres.

On his part, Maj Fakhroo gave a presentation on the services offered to those approaching the department in the event of conflicts between a sponsor and the sponsored as well as the services and facilities provided to inmates in the detention wards of the department. He explained that inmates are treated according to international standards of human rights.

Al-Saadi advised the companies to install high-quality security cameras on their premises and asked them to ensure that they were dealing with genuine firms and persons while transferring big amounts abroad.