[ecr]

To step up the digital transformation process, the State spends huge efforts, affirmed the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune in a speech to the Nation delivered to the Nation before the two Houses of Parliament, stressing that the “digitization process will be completed by the end of the first semester of 2024,” providing the public authorities with accurate and real figures to achieve development on scientific bases.

Stressing on numerous occasions the role of digitization as a "mechanism for combating bureaucracy and corruption,” the President of the Republic took several decisions to accelerate digital transformation, urging the Government to begin without delay the acceleration of the digitization process in all sectors, notably the National Estate, Taxes, Customs and the Budget, and to create an updated digital platform "providing accurate data and indicators to guide decisions and combat bureaucracy.”

About the national digital strategy, the President of the Republic stated at the National Seminar on the "National Cybersecurity Strategy" last June that "the requirements of national security imply the development of an integrated national strategy in the digital field.”

"Identifying cyber threats and putting in place effective control and detection mechanisms, as well as a risk management strategy, are today's key forward-looking requirements for ensuring the full security required for vital infrastructures on a safe and permanent basis, as part of ensuring national security, in its political, military, economic, societal and even technological dimensions,” he stated.

"Digitization is not a purely technical operation but a deeply held conviction that is at the top of the list of priorities for building the New Algeria,” the President of the Republic asserted.

To bring these efforts to fruition, the President of the Republic has decided to create the High Commission for Digitization, which is tasked with monitoring and implementing the national digitization strategy, ensuring that the digitization plans are in line with the national digitization strategy, evaluating the achievements of each sector and proposing the necessary corrective measures, and defining priority projects and strategic investments, as well as the methods for mobilizing human capital and the related financing.

It is also called upon to propose legal and regulatory mechanisms to ensure the performance and continuous improvement of digital transformation.

The High Commission for Digitization is currently working on a national digital transformation strategy to achieve digital sovereignty. According to Meriem Benmouloud, High Commissioner for Digitization, this strategy will be enhanced after the promulgation of a law on digitization, due to be passed in the first quarter of 2024.

"Digitization aims to put in place a new management model for administrations, organizations and public and economic institutions, moving from traditional paper-based management to digital governance based above all on the widespread use of modern digital technologies, to reinforce the principles of transparency, consolidating the relationship between the administration and the citizen and facilitating transactions and administrative procedures while ensuring high-quality, secure, rapid and cost-effective public services,” she continued.

 

Digitization: Qualitative leap in several sectors

 

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has created 51 platforms offering 54 digital services (teaching, services and research), and plans to increase this number to 54 digital platforms as part of its "paperless" strategy.

For its part, the Ministry of Justice has digitized several operations, including the withdrawal of several documents, trials by videoconference and the national electronic counter service, which enables litigants, their lawyers and principals to consult the progress of their cases remotely.

The Ministry of Interior, Local Authorities and National Planning has worked to modernize and improve the quality of public service, through the dematerialization of all civil status services, particularly the issuance of biometric documents (passport, national identity card and driving license).

In addition, all People’s National Assemblies, subprefectures and communes have been connected to the Ministry via fibre optics, as part of these efforts.

Digital transformation in the health sector has also made great strides, facilitating efficient management and optimum patient care through the organization of online medical appointments between hospitals.[/ecr]