UAE announces results of e-Dirham system performance

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) announced yesterday the total automated collection of revenues by the Federal Government through the e-Dirham system during the first half of the current year was about Dh 4 billion, up 11% from 3.6 million in the first half of 2014. The e-Dirham system enabled the increase in revenues collected to reach 79.8% of the overall revenues collected in the first half of 2015.

The total number of e-services that have been completed through the e-Dirham system during the first half of 2015 rose 9% to 18.7 million from 17 million services in the first half of 2014.

Saeed Rashid Al Yateem, Assistant Undersecretary of Resources and Budget Sector at MoF said: "The remarkable increase in the number of transactions by e-Dirham reflects the development of the system during the previous years, especially in the capacity and capability to improve performance and meet clients' expectations."

Since the launch of the second generation (G2) of the e-Dirham system, in coordination with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), more than 80 million electronic services were done by e-Dirham system while the value of fees collected electronically surpassed Dh 17 billion.

Al Yateem added: "The number of e-Dirham cards has increased to 1.44 million cards by the end of the first half of 2015. This remarkable growth reflects the increase in demand and dependency on the e-Dirham system to perform electronic payments."

In its efforts to improve customer services, the Ministry of Finance hired a specialised and an independent agency to measure customer satisfaction. The study that was conducted showed that 82% of e-Dirhams costumers are satisfied with the level of services offered.

Al Yateem commented: "The high percentage of customer satisfaction regarding e-Dirham services reflects the advancement and distinction of the system. The e-Dirham card is compatible with international payment networks, allowing cardholders to use for e-commerce via online purchases accepting credit card payments. The e-Dirham transactions fees are the lowest compared to other cards. It is considered as a pre-paid card that is not linked to personal or corporate bank account".

Saif Al Shehhi, Senior Managing Director of UAE Government & VVIP Clients at NBAD, said: "Our partnership with the UAE Ministry of Finance in the launch and development of e-Dirham helps in strengthening and developing the UAE towards modernising government services and to its customers. This has placed our country in the forefront of Smart Governments. "

MoF recently announced the launch of the fee collection phase for authentication services pertaining to certificates of origin and invoices for imported goods, which are provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Individuals and companies can now pay for authentication services for certificates of origin and invoices, in addition to all related fees, electronically, through e-Dirham cards.