Dubai eGovernment said a total of Dh1.1 billion ($299.4 million) was collected through ePay on behalf of all the participating Dubai government departments duing the first half of the year.

The ePay system enables customers to electronically pay their bills and settle dues for various government services, in a safe and secure manner.

The ePay services are available through many channels including Internet, touch screens, interactive voice response systems and mPay, which has been designed as an emergency service, particularly for urgent processes.

As per recent Dubai eGovernment statistics, the ePay transactions soared to 835,000 registering a 60 per cent rise in amounts collected in the first half compared to last year.

During the corresponding period last year, a total of Dh700 million was collected through 712,000 transactions, reflecting an increase of Dh400 million, even though the number of government departments involved remained fixed at 22 during the two periods.

The Roads & Transport Authority, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and Dubai Customs were the top three departments respectively in terms of the number of transactions achieved.

Ahmed Bin Humaidan, director general of Dubai eGovernment said: “These results clearly indicate the favourable pace of eTransformation in Dubai and also reflect both the increasing adoption of ePay as a preferred mode of payment to complete government transactions and the trust shown by customers with regards to the efficiency and safety of ePay, despite the ramifications of the global financial crisis.”

"This service allows both corporate and individual customers to complete ePayment for government services in three ways - credit cards, e-dirham and direct debit from the customer’s account in participating banks."

According to him, the use of direct debit option grew from 13,000 transactions in the first half of 2009 to 23,000 transactions in the same period this year.

"All government departments need certain electronic frameworks and infrastructures to offer electronic services that are reliable, secure and of high quality, if they intend to maximise the use of their innovative service channels by customers," Bin Humaidan said.

"The ePay is part of Dubai eGovernment’s initiative to offer government eServices through innovative channels and present the public and the business community a secure, cost and time-efficient mechanism to pay their bills and dues to various government departments without the need to personally visit them,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service