Dubai, UAE - In a signing ceremony with the UAE Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) joined the e-Dirham system, which is a fully integrated electronic payment and revenue collection developed in partnership with First Abu Dhabi Bank. This further strengthens the reach of the country’s official smart payment system.

The document was signed by H.E. Saeed Rashid Al Yateem, Assistant Undersecretary for Resources and Budget Sector at the MoF; and H.E. Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director General of the FTA, during the ongoing GITEX Technology Week at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

H.E. Saeed Rashid Al Yateem, Assistant Undersecretary for Resources and Budget Sector at the MoF, said: "The MoF is commited to continuously enhance the e-Dirham system by further investing in latest smart technologies, in order to be aligned with the international standards. The Ministry also aims to strengthen its connectivity with other financial systems that are being used across the country. Keeping up with the latest global developments, we believe that offering effective digital solutions and services is a vital step towards achieving a knowledge-based and digital economy.”

“With the thrust to further develop a convenient and safe system for electronic payment and collection across the UAE, the MoF is continuously working with its strategic partners in enhancing the e-Dirham infrastructure and in promoting its use for financial transactions,” Al Yateem added.

H.E. Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director General of the FTA, said: "Collaborating with the MoF for the e-Dirham is a significant part of our efforts to upgrade the services that FTA offers. It is a move that is in line with the FTA’s aim to adopt an integrated e-service that will allow us to streamline the processes involved in the tax system. From the registration, submission of tax statements, up to the payment of fees, the FTA strives to offer the highest quality of service to its clients.”

“Joining e-Dirham suitably fits our vision to provide smart services that are patterned after the best global practices. Aside from reducing the time and effort necessary for each transaction, innovative systems also help us enhance accuracy and efficiency. Excellent customer service is our top priority at the FTA,” Al Bustani concluded.

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About e-Dirham: 
The e-Dirham system is an initiative launched by the UAE Ministry of Finance in 2001, to provide an official electronic payment platform to facilitate the collection of revenues and service fees of governmental and semi-governmental institutions. e-Dirham is a cashless payment system that adopts efficient, secure, state- of-the-art and world-class technologies; the first step in creating an e-government in the UAE.

Since its launch, e-Dirham continues to innovate with the necessary upgrades needed to meet the aspirations and needs of its customers - both governmental institutions as well as individuals.  

In 2011, e-Dirham launched its second-generation avatar, in collaboration with its banking partner, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). This enhanced the capabilities of the system by benefiting from FAB’s pioneering experience in electronic payment and revenue collection.

e-Dirham is now characterised by its compatibility with global networks and methods of payment. The system’s flexible platforms easily integrate with e-government services, offering scalable and unlimited options to merge with the latest payment service applications. In line with the UAE’s move towards a smart government, e-Dirham systems support the latest mobile applications, offering the e-Wallet and payment through various other channels.

The variety of choices and channels include the ‘Al Haslah’ pre-paid cards, ATM/CDM machines, POS terminals, e-commerce payment systems over the internet and through smart phones, as well as self-service e-kiosks.

These meet the needs of all types and classes of end-users and corporate, while the channels are compatible with global payment methods including ‘Visa’. e-Dirham is especially characterised by its affordable cost, as compared with other methods of payment. Low, fixed amounts are charged for services like fee payments and topping up the e-Dirham pre-paid card. The system ensures full protection for all parties associated in a transaction.

© Press Release 2017