BY SACHIN KUMAR
Doha: The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics plans to build a National Registry or National Database which will have accurate and updated social, economic and environment figures.
The database will gather information from government, semi-government and other data-producing entities in Qatar.
It will increase the efficacy of policymaking and development planning as policymakers and government departments will get updated and accurate data.
“The concept of the National Registry is to have a common database that will pull out information from other agencies and data producers into one pool and integrate all information, so at the end we will have an updated information about people, buildings and establishments,” Mansoor Al Malki, Director, Information Systems Department at the ministry told this daily on the sidelines the third Annual Middle East Smart Summit yesterday.
The ministry has recently got the green signal from the Cabinet and has started preliminary work.
“The ministry is conducting a feasibility study for the National Registry as it has received the Cabinet’s approval.”
The data pool will be a shot in the arm for the planning of development projects as it will provide policymakers, government departments and public service providers with updated information.
Government agencies like Ashghal, Kahraama and others will be able to get information from the database for their projects.
“One of the main purposes of is that policymakers, government agencies and public service providers can utilise updated information for their plans,” said Al Malki
Apart from institutions, individuals will also be allowed to access information, albeit partially.
“Not everyone will be allowed to access all data, it will be restricted access for individuals. They will have to use passwords and will have to go through security procedures to access information,” explained Al Malki.
“We will not disclose any information about any individual or establishment. They (individuals) will be able to access aggregated data.”
The database will reduce efforts and time of government agencies by conducting surveys. “The registry will reduce field surveys and save investments and time,” he added.
The frequency of data update will depend on the agency providing information. If a department is providing information and updating data on a daily basis, the national database will also update data on daily basis.
The Peninsula
