Abu Dhabi, 10 July 2013

In line with its commitment to provide high-level financial services, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) recently organised a workshop for ministries and federal authorities. The workshop, which took place at the Ministry in its Abu Dhabi premises, and reviewed the latest advantages and developments of the e-Dirham system specialised in e- payment and collection of fees for public services.

The workshop was began with an opening statement delivered by HE Saeed Rashid Al Yateem, Assistant Undersecretary of Resources and Budget Sector at MoF; where HE welcomed all participants and stressed on the important role played by ministries and federal authorities in further developing the public e- services. HE also encourgaed MoF, ministries and federal authorities to join their efforts in order to improve the digital services used for e-payments and collections and to maximise the benefit offered by the e- dirham system to pay for services by mobile phones.

During the workshop, HE Al Yateem explained that the e-dirham system follows the initiative of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai regarding the implementation of smart government applications. HE also stressed on MoF's readiness to cooperate with all ministries and federal authorities to link the e-dirham system with digital payment gateways by mobile phones.

The workshop was attended by officials from UAE ministries and federal entities along with the e- dirham system team and Mona Al Mulla, Head of Collection Department- MoF. The workshop also witnessed the participation of representatives from the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and strategic partners of the e- Dirham project.

The workshop highlighted a set of key elements related to the second generation of the e-dirham system; which included advanced electronic payment services, payment methods and channels and the support services provided by the system. The workshop also presented the developments in services and applications of the e-dirham system that will be launched during the third and fourth quarter of 2013. These new developments included payment methods via mobile, virtual e-wallet applications, transfer and direct debt from bank accounts services and self-service devices.

The workshop also discussed MoF's recommendations for shifting completely to the collection of public services fees electronically and the use of digital stickers instead of using manual receipts and traditional paper stamps. HE Undersecretary for Resources and Budgets expressed the Ministry's interest to support the execution of these recommendations and work to serve the goals of smart government applications. HE added: "These e-dirham applications will contribute in enhancing the use of federal government resources and developing them through effective financial management methods, which will enhance the UAE's position globally and highlight its use of modern technology."

HE added: "The Ministry always seeks to organise such initiatives in order to maintain communication between ministries and government entities in the UAE as well as to inform them on the most basic financial services offered by the e-dirham system. This will help in the application of highest level of government financial services on both a local and federal level."

It should be noted that MoF and NBAD organised several workshops on the featuresand properties of the e- dirham system intended for all ministries and federal authority dealers as well as the company who adopted the e- dirham system.

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For more information:
Ghaleb Zeidan / Wissam Al Saadi / Osama Dagamseh               
Weber Shandwick
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© Press Release 2013