Muscat: Starting from January 1, 2020, all government agencies including ministries will accept only electronic payment for its services, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Finance revealed.  

In a circular issued on Saturday, the Ministry asked all government organisations to only accept the revenue through e-payment methods starting next year. “The Ministry has directed all ministries and government units to fully comply with the collection of all government revenues through electronic payment and to stop collecting such revenues in any other way as of January 1, 2020, calling for cooperation and adherence to the contents of the circular for the sake of public interest.”

The government, according to the finance ministry will bear the bank commission. “The government will bear the one per cent bank commission and it will not be passed to the applicant,” the statement added.  

Key government services to go online
Early in August, The Arabian Stories, had reported the government’s plans to digitalize some of its key services. Lead by Information Technology Authority (ITA), as many as 59 different Omani government ministries will digitialise its services. The digitalisation drive will seek to “improve” the quality and demand for government services, according to the Information Technology Authority (ITA).