Amman:A workshop was conducted for secretaries-general and directors-general at ministries and government institutions to discuss the Paperless Government Index. The session was led by Minister of State for Public Sector Development Badria Al-Balbisi and Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smeirat at the Prime Ministry, focusing on implementing a Cabinet decision. This decision mandates that ministries and government institutions increase their Paperless Government Index by at least 20% within the next year, as the current average performance of these entities is 58%.
According to Jordan News Agency, Al-Balbisi clarified that the goal of a paperless government is not merely to reduce paper consumption or save on printing costs. The aim is to establish an operational environment within government departments that relies on technology and digital systems. This digital environment aims to decrease reliance on paper procedures, enhance efficiency by saving time and effort, and bolster future readiness by enabling ministries and institutions to operate with integrated digital systems utilizing data and artificial intelligence tools.
Al-Balbisi emphasized that the digital transformation is a key component of the Public Sector Modernization Roadmap, particularly the citizen-centered government axis. She stressed the importance of the Paperless Government Index as a means to gauge the transformation of the operational and administrative frameworks of government entities. The Cabinet's decision to enhance the index by 20% involves activating electronic correspondence, expanding digital signatures and electronic archiving, and utilizing government-approved systems for human resources and administrative processes.
Smeirat highlighted that transitioning to a paperless government involves redesigning institutional work processes to be entirely digital, improving speed, performance efficiency, and follow-up simplicity. The current baseline for the Paperless Government Index is set at 58%, serving as a starting point to measure progress. The Cabinet has outlined a path to raise the index by 20% through executive plans that specify paper-dependent procedures, targets, and necessary systems to achieve a more integrated, efficient government work environment.
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship will continue supporting government entities by enhancing system integration and data exchange and expanding the use of digital identity and signature. This transformation is exemplified by government correspondence systems transitioning from paper-based circulation to an integrated digital cycle.
During the session, several secretaries-general and directors-general shared insights on digital transformation realities and challenges within their institutions, underscoring the Paperless Government Index's role in assessing digital transformation in public institutions. The session featured a visual presentation by Abeer Lataifeh and Bilal Bani Hani on the Paperless Government Index, reviewing the state of institutions and the upcoming steps required. An introductory video on the Paperless Government Index platform was also shown, illustrating the measurement of digital transformation within government departments.