The renewable card, a cornerstone of Bahrain's e-government project, will be valid for five years, Central Informatics Organisation (CIO) Under-Secretary Mohammed Ahmed Al Amer revealed yesterday.
It will be processed at the Isa Town-based CIO to automatically replace the old CPR card.
Bahrainis will have the choice of paying BD2 for the basic Smart card or BD5 to include the e-gate, e-wallet and e-signature.
"Being government-subsidised, Bahrain's Smart card is the cheapest regionally or internationally, compared with an equivalent BD10 for UAE nationals, BD23 in Finland, and BD25 in Sweden," he said.
It is equipped with a hi-tech multi-purpose microchip carrying data to use the country's public services.
Two new e-gates have been already installed at Bahrain International Airport arrivals lobby to process Bahraini e-card holders.
This will exempt them from passing through the routine customs authorities.
Bahrainis reporting to the CIO are required to submit the old CPR, an approved copy of their passport, study or work evidence and evidence of new address in addition to the fees.
Quelle/Source: Gulf Daily News, 18.10.2006
