Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, has joined hands with Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI),  to expand its range of payment channels.

The agreement allows DCCI members to credit their membership accounts with top-up payments through any of Emirates NBD’s 650 ATMs, cash deposits machines or via Internet Banking. The service will also be available to those who do not currently bank with Emirates NBD, said a bank statement.

Dubai Chamber members can use the available credit on their accounts to pay for items such as annual membership fees or any number of services offered by the chamber, it stated.

These include the provision of research material such as data and information about various economic sectors, markets and trade patterns, including trends and developments of the consumer price index (CPI), it added.

Including today’s announcement, the bank’s payment partners have increased to 32, which makes Emirates NBD the UAE leader in providing payment solutions for the widest range of essential banking services. Other payment partners include Etisalat, Du, Salik, Dewa, RTA and Emaar Properties.

Jamal Bin Ghalaita, Group deputy chief executive officer, Emirates NBD, said the alliance is in line with the government’s overall vision of financial services and government institutions working together to boost economic development in Dubai and further enhance the city’s reputation as the region’s leading business centre.

"It is also aligned with our own ongoing commitment to support the business community at large," he added.

DCCI director general Hamad Buamim said,"The chamber’s main objective is to create a favourable business environment and support the development of companies across Dubai, so new ideas like these additional payment options, which make doing business simpler and more cost effective, have our backing."-TradeArabia News Service