RIYADH — Digital transformation platforms and communication center at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources performed more than 170,000 electronic transactions in the industrial and mining sector since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, said Dr. Sami Alhomod, assistant minister for planning and development at the ministry. Confirming that the ministry has developed customer service programs to facilitate access to services remotely, Alhomod said that the e-services included exceptions and permits for the work of factories during the pandemic, industrial licensing permits, in addition to customs exemption and chemical clearance. He stressed that the ministry will continue to provide support to its partners and develop its e-platforms and services for the industrial and mining sector. Alhomod said that the ministry launched different communication channels to provide its partners with various services, where it receives requests or inquiries through five channels, including the social media account, interactive chat through WhatsApp application, via e-mail, or unified call number 199001, in addition to communicating through the ministry"s website. He also indicated that the ministry is keen to improve customer experience according to the best standards, adding that the ministry launched a path to assess the satisfaction of beneficiaries. The ministry is constantly seeking to develop its mechanisms, automating procedures and updating communication mechanisms to reduce effort and time to obtain services, he added.