TRA Holds a Workshop on UAE Pass for Banking and Financial Institutions

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has held in Dubai this morning, a workshop on UAE Pass for banking and financial institutions, in the presence of representatives of the Prime Minister's Office, Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, Smart Dubai, Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship, Ministry of Justice, Central Bank and banks operating in the UAE. The workshop aimed to clarify all aspects of this initiative and respond to inquiries and how to benefit from the system to serve all parties.

UAE Pass is a national initiative launched by TRA in partnership with Abu Dhabi Digital Authority and Smart Dubai. It aims to provide quick and easy access to government and non-government services by different segments of customers around the clock. UAE Pass allows banks to accelerate the procedures of opening an account through quick steps without the need to bring the customer in person to sign the documents. The documents will be extracted digitally, and the customer can sign digitally.

The initiative also aims to accelerate the process of digital transformation in the country by promoting integration and coordination between government entities and other sectors to reach a paperless government and faster, easier and safer services.

In his opening speech, H.E. Salem Al Housani, Acting Deputy Director General for Information and E-Government Sector, welcomed the participants in the workshop, considering it a new step towards enhancing UAE Pass as a key element in the process of comprehensive digital transformation of the UAE in all the sectors. He said: “Let me praise the team spirit that led us to this workshop. I particularly praise the conductor of this collective action, the Prime Minister's Office, for their close follow-up and assistance to all the parties to overcome obstacles and maintain the work. I would also like to thank the brothers in the digital governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai for their leading efforts. I would like to thank our Central Bank for its immediate interaction with this initiative by inviting banks to join the UAE Pass. Moreover, I would like to thank the brothers in the Ministry of Justice and the Federal Authority For Identity & Citizenship, who had essential contribution in Digital Signature, the Vault and UAE Pass in general. I would like to express my appreciation for the presence of bank representatives to reflect together the primary significance of this initiative, which is the partnership between the public and private sectors.”

H.E. Al Housani emphasized that UAE Pass is a dream that has been realized through great efforts. He said: “I am confident that the efforts made after this workshop will have the expected impact in enhancing the practical implementation of UAE Pass. Fortunately, the banking sector was among the leading sectors to adopt this initiative in the UAE. This indicates that UAE banks are banks of happiness, not just money.”

During the workshop, TRA presented UAE Pass and the significant role it plays in giving all UAE citizens, residents and visitors the possibility of completing their transactions via smart phones using secure verification mechanisms or “digital signature” technology, a solution that enables users to complete all transactions, including those requiring customer identity verification or signature. After the presentation, representatives of government entities and local banks answered the participants' questions regarding UAE Pass that completes the process of transforming UAE government services into a fully smart concept.

The adoption of the UAE Pass in banking transactions is part of the second phase of UAE Pass activation in the UAE, which covers all government services in the country, in addition to the services of the entire banking sector, and the UAE telecom operators’ services (Etisalat, du). The first phase included Services of Bashr (Doing business in 15 minutes) for the issuance of commercial licenses, in addition to the services of Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Ministry of Justice, and all Dubai Government services.

TRA leads the digital transformation process in the UAE and supports the infrastructure and strategies that drive the smart transformation of UAE government entities, through the implementation of smart government plans, in line with the government's strategy for electronic and smart transformation. It also contributes to the achievement of relevant national indicators, and provides all the suitable conditions for reaching the first position globally in smart services. TRA continues to implement smart transformation in the country, strengthen the pillars of the mGovernment, and enhance the smart lifestyle.

© Press Release 2019