Bahrain’s E-government Authority (EGA) has commissioned Singapore-based technology firm Crimsologic to create a national authentication framework (NAF), which will be ready to use in September 2011. The deal is worth $2m.

The technology will give citizens access to the government’s 190 e-services online using a single electronic identity across various platforms and ministries. Before users can use these services, which include banking, finance and healthcare, they will require authentication to prevent fraud and identity theft.

The validation process will involve a password, hardware security or biometric trait such as a finger print.

Mohammed Ali al-Qaed, chief executive of EGA says: “The project will help reduce the operating expenses of government administration by connecting all the agencies’ services, enabling users to access them through a single electronic source.”

The government aims to have more than 90 per cent of its key services available online. Bahrain’s information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure is one of the most advanced in the region, with the highest internet penetration rates at more than 88 per cent. Its ICT market is expected to be worth $180bn by 2012.