SCC approves Sharjah Digital Department regulatory bill

The session, led by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the SCC, focused on the draft legislation aimed at regulating the Digital Sharjah Authority, as studied by the Public Utilities Committee. Among the attendees were Dr. Eissa bin Henzal, the Legal Affairs Director for the Sharjah Government; Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Director General of the Digital Sharjah Authority; and Lamya Obaid Al-Hosani, the Department Director.

Ahmed Saeed Al Jarwan, Secretary-General of the Consultative Council, commenced the session by highlighting that the bill was submitted to the council by the Executive Council of Sharjah on September 3. After the initial review, the bill was forwarded to the Public Utilities Committee and then to the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee for their input.

During the session, Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi delivered a statement commending the SCC for its dedication to advancing governmental development in Sharjah. The significance of the bill was emphasised in relation to organising and improving the operations of the Digital Sharjah Authority, which currently support 190 government entities across the emirate, offering 21 active services, with eight new services under development. The authority also hosts 77 government entities in its data centre and connects 19 entities to the unified government network.

Dr. Eissa bin Henzal, the Legal Director, highlighted the importance of the regulatory bill, which specifies the authority's scope, especially regarding digital transformation. He presented the legislative and regulatory objectives for preparing the bill and explained the factors motivating its drafting.

Ahmed Rashid Al-Shamsi, the rapporteur for the Public Utilities Committee, provided an overview of the session, detailing the bill's definitions, objectives, and regulatory provisions. Members engaged in a discussion about the objectives of the bill, focussing on the incorporation of digital technology into government functions, with the intention of enhancing user access to services without the need for physical presence.

Important discussions focused on the responsibilities of the authority, which include crafting digital transformation strategies, setting standards, and fostering collaboration between the government and private sectors. The review included provisions concerning digital services, information security, data management, and digital infrastructure. The Sharjah Consultative Council has approved the bill after a comprehensive discussion, signifying it as the inaugural legislative proposal of the council’s current term.