Muscat: BankMuscat, the leading financial institution in the Sultanate of Oman, in close partnership with the Information Technology Authority (ITA), has taken the lead in rolling out electronic card payment facility for government services offered as part of the Sultanate’s e-Governance initiative.

In step with eOman launched and led by ITA, BankMuscat has been in the forefront, facilitating electronic card payments for services rendered by various government departments, including the Royal Oman Police (ROP). Notably, BankMuscat is the first card-acquiring bank to support ITA’s electronic payment for goods and services offered by the government.

“The initiative marks a farsighted step by the Bank to consolidate its dominant position in launching innovative technology products and services which spell convenience to customers. The electronic payment facility offered through BankMuscat’s extensive POS network reflects the Bank's commitment to work closely with government agencies in building a strong financial infrastructure in the Sultanate,” Sulaiman Al Harthy, Group DGM - Consumer Banking, said.

“Over the years, BankMuscat has leveraged information communication technology (ICT) for economic and social gain to enrich the lives of the people of Oman. The objective is to serve as a vital link, integrating government departments to provide better and more efficient electronic public services and building a secure foundation for e-Commerce transactions,” Al Harthy added.

Significantly, ROP, the first government body to facilitate card payment service, roped in BankMuscat to roll out cards acceptance and electronic payment at all ROP directorates across the country.

BankMuscat was also the preferred choice for the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources (MRMWR) for offering card payment facility for all fee transactions at regional municipalities spread across the country.

Marking yet another pioneering step, BankMuscat has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ITA, ROP and leading e-Solutions provider Gemalto to launch an e-Purse project as part of the ambitious e-Governance initiative.

e-Purse is primarily a state-of-the-art ‘Cash on Card’ solution involving the electronic chip-based National ID card and resident card, which will be activated with financial capability to be used for all fee-based transactions in various government departments. The transactions will be fully secured using PIN (personnel identification number).

“The MoU mandates BankMuscat to develop and roll-out the e-Purse which will enable nationals and residents to make payments at various government entities starting with ROP. In the first phase of the e-Purse project, BankMuscat will serve as the exclusive service provider. The e-Purse will work as a mode of payment in BankMuscat POS network at government organisations. It will have similar features as of pre-paid cards and will be available for everyone carrying a National ID card or resident card, irrespective of the bank he / she maintains account with,” Al Harthy said.

Citizens and residents can visit BankMuscat branches and load their National ID cards and resident cards with required amounts. Payments made through National ID cards will be validated by POS machines at government departments, including hospitals. The ROP fees for visa renewal, driving licence and other services can be paid with the National ID cards or resident cards.

To begin with, the e-Purse will be available only for payments related to government services. A steering committee entrusted with the project is putting in place various security aspects related to the use of ID cards as e-Purse. Facilities will be in place so that when required, customers can obtain balance or statement information.

Some of the benefits of the e-Purse are that it greatly reduces fraud and theft; reduces cash handling costs; is a highly secure system and provides more choice for customers. e-Purse is set to emerge as a convenient tool for all financial transactions in Oman. With the nation embarking on the ambitious e-Governance platform, the card acquiring facility offered by BankMuscat marks the primary step in moving towards that objective.

Ever since BankMuscat commenced its card acquiring operations in 2002, many milestones have been achieved with the support of partners and customers. Presently, “BankMuscat is the largest acquirer and issuer of cards in Oman, owing to the strong support from partners, customers and the goodwill of people. Establishing a strong network of government and commercial entities, BankMuscat has deployed over 3100 point of sales (POS) card acquiring terminals across the country to support the initiative of electronic payment in the country and continues to expand rapidly,” Al Harthy said.

Firmly positioned to attract over one million customers by 2010, BankMuscat serves the largest banking family in Oman with superior products and services that make a difference in every stage of life.