This new Smart Card system is the crown in the government efforts for electronic programming and will drastically reduce the risk of carrying or counting of cash.
“This saves the time and efforts of merchants and customers to complete transactions quickly with a high degree of security. Another major advantage is the reduction of cost, as the cards are available for all OAB customers as well as for non-customers.” Askalan mentioned that the system has been approved by the Central Bank of Oman. The Ministry of Finance has consented to accept OAB Smart Card system as an additional mode of payment for government dues beside the cash and cheques.
OAB’s Smart Card electronic payment system is the futuristic way of payment for the e-government projects and it can also be developed and modified according to the needs and requirements of end-users — private sector outlets, companies and individuals. The Smart Card system launched by OAB has several advantages and unique features.
Speaking later at the function, Hassan Abdul Ali, CEO for the IT adviser, gave a detailed explanation about the system and ways to benefit from it.
Ali said there are three levels of using the system — direct contact (on-line), indirect contact (off-line) and Internet. He stressed on the security of the system and the card, besides the confidentiality that it provides and demonstrated the method of payment through Internet.
The system has been installed at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. All government units and private companies can avail of this system, especially the ones which have financial transactions with customers such as Omantel and ROP.
Quelle: Times of Oman
