Dubai - Mubasher: The Emirati ministry of finance (MoF) has launched on Saturday, in partnership with National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), a new eDebit service.
The new e-Dirham service allows payment of service fees and purchases through direct debit from the customers’ bank accounts, according to the ministry’s press release.
eDirect service that allows topping up of eD-Wallet balance directly from the user’s bank account was also initiated, the statement indicated.
During its participation in GITEX Technology Week 2016, the ministry of finance also launched e-Dirham’s new partnership with the private sector to increase the number of self-service e-kiosks across the UAE.
The e-kiosks enable users in 630 locations across the UAE to obtain new e-Dirham cards, top them up, issue e-Dirham paper vouchers, inquire about the cards’ credit, access transaction data, and pay utility and telecom bills, according to the MoF.
Meanwhile, 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.
"A recent study reveals that 59% of consumers in the UAE prefer making payments via mobile phones, making them the most commonly used device for payment transactions in the country,” said Saif Al Shehhi, senior managing director at NBAD.
“The continued upgrading of systems and procedures of the e-Dirham system helps to maintain its position as the preferred mode of payment for government and private sector services,” Al Shehhi added.
