Maldives will launch the second version of its Government E-Letter Management System, GEMS 2.0, in March, as part of the Government’s Maldives 2.0 digital transformation agenda, Maldives Digital Services Limited (MDS) has announced.

The upgraded system is designed as a fully paperless platform to manage official correspondence, records and administrative workflows across Government institutions, with the aim of improving efficiency, reducing costs and modernising public sector operations.

GEMS was first introduced in 2012 to support document and record management in Government offices. While the system has been updated over the years, authorities said it continued to face limitations in accessibility and functionality, prompting a comprehensive upgrade under the current digitisation policy.

Speaking to State media, Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology Dr Mohamed Kinaanath said the new version represents a major step towards more efficient governance. He said GEMS 2.0 is no longer restricted to internal Government networks and will be accessible globally through cloud-based integration, allowing authorised use from any location.

He added that the introduction of digital signatures and fully electronic workflows will significantly reduce paperwork and streamline administrative processes.

MDS Project Manager Shazra Mohamed Saeed said GEMS 2.0 has been developed as an all-in-one administrative system, expanding beyond basic record storage to include case management, mail handling and internal workflow functions. He said the platform is designed to support the full range of administrative tasks carried out by Government offices.

He also noted that the system includes a public document submission module, allowing citizens to submit documents to Government authorities remotely once the new version is fully implemented.

MDS said training is currently underway for over 960 Government institutions ahead of the rollout. The system will be introduced in phases to allow a gradual transition from existing applications and ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

The Government said the launch of GEMS 2.0 reflects its commitment to building a modern, accessible and efficient digital Government that benefits both public institutions and the wider public.