DUBAI, 16th October, 2016 (WAM) -- The Ministry of Finance (MoF), in partnership with National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), launched eDebit and eDirect services on the eve of GITEX Technology Week 2016, which opened today at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The eDebit service, launched for the first time in the UAE, allows payment of service fees and purchases through direct debit from the customers bank accounts, and the eDirect service allows topping up of eD-Wallet balance directly from the users bank account.

The ministry also launched e-Dirhams new partnership with the private sector to increase the number of self-service e-kiosks across the country.

The e-kiosks enable users to obtain new e-Dirham cards, top them up, issue e-Dirham paper vouchers, enquire about the cards credit, access transaction data, and pay utility and telecommunications bills. These kiosks serve as additional channels for service payments and can be found in 630 locations including shopping centres in various emirates.

"One of the strategic objectives of the ministry is to increase the efficiency of the federal governments financial work systems. And in addition to the advantages of the new services, the use of e-Dirham system provides individuals, institutions and corporate clients with an integrated smart payment and revenue collection solutions that speed up payment and collection processes, improve resource management productivity, enhance quality of service, reduce cost, as well as assist regulation and monitoring of financial flows and data management," said Saeed Rashid Al Yateem, Assistant Under-Secretary for Resources and Budget, at the ministry.

Al Yateem highlighted the benefits of direct transfers between the bank accounts of e-Dirham system partners.

"The upgrades adopted by e-Dirham, especially in terms of smart payment via mobile device platforms, require updated procedures and ways to complete payment transactions that provide ease and convenience. We will continue to invest in strengthening the system's capabilities and in updating its infrastructure to ensure transition to the next level of consistency," he added.

The e-Dirham system enables users to make online payment for more than 5,000 government services, under federal ministries, departments and local authorities, which are available through various channels including eD-Wallet, or via direct debit from bank accounts after the launch of the new services.

"We recognise that innovation, continuous learning, enhancement of communication, and exchange of knowledge as well as experiences play key roles for growth and progress. These is an integral part of our participation in the current GITEX Technology Week. Such events help us to better understand the evolving needs of our customers. Launching e-Dirhams new products and services enhances the range of solutions provided by this leading government initiative for smart payment solutions," said Saif Al Shehhi, Senior Managing Director, UAE Government and VVIP Clients at NBAD.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2016.