Dubai gets into prepaid as DubaiCard launched at summit

A UAE-focussed prepaid card called ‘DubaiCard' was unveiled at the prepaid payment industry's leading forum, Prepaid Summit: Middle East, at Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi. Visa is on-board as the event sponsor.
The initiative is a tripartite effort from newly-launched National Pay, together with two of the industry's leading companies, Atam, a market leader in kiosk-based solutions, and Tuxedo Money Solutions, an e-money solutions provider.
The trio are calling DubaiCard ‘an unrivalled payment option', as Tuxedo's Frank Creighton and Atam's CEO, Graham Foster introduced the concept, complete with a fully operational kiosk, to the Summit's 150-plus delegates, comprising the ‘who's who' of the sector, According to Foster, DubaiCard is ‘a pioneering innovation in payment technology'. He explained that cards are instantly issued and activated from the self-service kiosks.
"DubaiCard uses a new-to-sector technology, called Smart Issuance. We make use of the full KYC (Know Your Customer) strategy that is so well-tested in the banking and finance sector,"
He said that the new card holder's profile is taken from their personal Emirates Identity Card, and also through a passport reader.
Meanwhile, Creighton said that DubaiCard holders are able to make seamless cashless payments within the UAE and worldwide, at Point-Of-Sale (POS), as well as at ATMs and online.
"Commencing from April this year, customers will be able to apply for personalised DubaiCards. Every card can be instantly issued, topped up with funds and activated via National Pay Smart Kiosks which will be strategically located throughout the UAE, starting with Dubai."
National Pay's Managing Director, Rashid AlKetbi said the initiative will kick off with 200 kiosks in Dubai, followed by expansion to all other Emirates. He confirmed that a GCC rollout is planned phase two.
"We are thrilled to be part of this facility as it promotes accessible services across the Emirate and is perfectly in line with fulfilling the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum .", Alketbi observed.