By Ncaba Ntshakala
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini has announced that Eswatini will soon send a delegation to Azerbaijan to benchmark best practices following his visit to the award-winning Asan Xidmat service centre in Baku.
During his visit, Dlamini expressed his admiration for the efficient and integrated service model offered by Asan Xidmat, which has gained global recognition for revolutionizing public service delivery.
The Prime Minister emphasized the urgent need to replicate similar systems in Eswatini, pledging to expedite the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two governments.
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The Prime Minister’s visit to Azerbaijan coincides with his attendance at the COP29 summit, where global leaders are gathering to discuss climate action.
In addition to focusing on environmental issues, Dlamini used his visit to explore innovations that could streamline Eswatini’s public sector operations.
He expressed that sending a team of experts from Eswatini to Azerbaijan to study Asan Xidmat’s successful model will be crucial for implementing efficient, citizen-centric services back home.
Asan Xidmat, which translates to “easy service,” is a pioneering one-stop service centre established by the Azerbaijani government to provide a wide range of public and private services under one roof.
Launched in 2012, Asan Xidmat was designed to reduce bureaucracy, combat corruption, and enhance transparency in government operations.
The centre integrates over 400 services, including business registration, banking services, and healthcare, making it easier for citizens to access essential services efficiently.
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One of the key features of Asan Xidmat is its emphasis on innovation and digital transformation. The centre houses a dedicated innovation hub that supports start-ups, encouraging young entrepreneurs to develop solutions that can further enhance public service delivery.
By centralizing these services, Azerbaijan has significantly improved the speed and quality of services offered to its citizens, which has earned the Asan model numerous international accolades.
Moreover, the Prime Minister emphasized that adopting a similar integrated service model could be transformative for Eswatini, particularly in areas like business registration, healthcare access, and public administration.
“We are committed to learning from the best practices here in Azerbaijan,” Dlamini stated.
