Second generation e-Dirham card issued

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Economy and the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) on Wednesday announced the launch of the second generation e-Dirham cards (Blue Card).

The new cards are expected to raise public service standards, enhance efficiency, innovation and professionalism of government services.

NBAD is the ministry's official partner for the cards and STS is the developer of the card system.

A live demonstration of the new e-Dirham was conducted in the presence of Faisal Al Mansouri, Director of the Revenue Development Department in the ministry, Ramzi Zein, Chairman of STS, coding technology services specialist and strategic partner of NBAD, and other officials from the government and the lender.

An e-services portal was launched for the ministry in conjunction with the new electronic payment gateway for the cards. The portal launched the first service, linked to the electronic services portals of the ministries of Environment and Water and Public Works, allowing payment to be made to the ministry.

The Blue Card has six coloured card options under the name "Al Haselah", a word that means collector.

These cards will be released in tandem with the completion of each phase of services.

The first card was issued in the name of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

The Blue Card is a new concept in electronic payments in the UAE but it has proven its value by being used in more than 24 million outlets around the world.