Sweilam: The first phase of the electronic licensing system is being implemented ahead of a wider rollout.
Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sweilam held a meeting to review steps to simplify licensing procedures within the ministry’s remit for tourism projects. The meeting examined licenses issued by ministry bodies dealing with citizens and investors: the Nile and Its Branches Protection Sector, the Egyptian Shore Protection Authority, the Groundwater Sector, and the High Dam and Aswan Reservoir Authority. These licenses are issued in accordance with the applicable laws and requirements.
The minister emphasized his commitment to providing all forms of support to citizens and investors to improve tourism services. Simplifying licensing procedures is intended to support tourism and investors, benefit the national economy and create jobs, alongside advancing digital transformation as a pillar of the second-generation irrigation system, “Irrigation 2.0.”
He said the first phase of the electronic licensing system, covering groundwater licenses, is being implemented within the West Delta groundwater departments. Beneficiaries will be able to obtain licenses through an online account, submit the required documents electronically and track their applications through the system. If the pilot succeeds, it will be extended to other groundwater departments, with similar systems also developed for shore and Nile licenses.
Sweilam stressed that digital transformation and electronic systems reduce licensing procedures and processing times, make services easier for citizens and investors, help address staffing shortages in some ministry functions, and promote transparency and combat corruption. He added that the ministry is seeking to apply governance principles across all its bodies as part of its digital transformation agenda, according to the Egyptian Cabinet’s official Facebook page.
