Saleh Fareed Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Ministry of Haj has completed its e-government system, called Yusr, allowing visitors to complete certain transactions online. Yusr will restructure all of the ministry's work and link it electronically with the other ministries, government sectors, companies and establishments working in Haj and Umrah affairs. The ministry has also trained staff to facilitate the new system. Minister of Haj Bandar Hajjar said the standard of services being provided to Haj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque will be constantly upgraded. He said the ministry held continuous meetings with officials of Yusr, as well as representatives of the ministries of finance and communications and information technology and the Commission for Information Technology and Communications (CITC). The objective was to ensure that all the work, programs and services of the Ministry of Haj is facilitated by e-government. The Ministry of Haj is at the forefront of the e-government initiative being adopted by the Kingdom's government to achieve sustainable development in Saudi Arabia, said Hajjar. This is due to the ministry's belief that Yusr is a program allowing anyone to obtain Haj Ministry services from anywhere at any time in a secure fashion. Hajjar said the ministry is working in reducing centralization in implementing e-government transactions as much as possible. He said the ministry has taken time to implement Yusr on a phased basis. He said the ministry has been able to use technology in all kinds of services provided to authorities and individuals.
