Dubai Collects Dhs2bn Via Online Payments In H1 2012

The Dubai eGovernment announced that customers paid over Dhs2 billion through its online payment services, ePay, during the first half of this year, a 21 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

ePay allows the public to electronically settle their dues for various Dubai government services.

Over 1.6 million transactions generated Dhs2.07 billion on the platform, compared Dhs1.7 billion collected from 1.39 million transactions in H1 2011.

Dubai Customs, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Health Authority, Department of Economic Development and Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) were the top five government entities in terms of the electronically collected amounts, Dubai eGovernment said in a statement.

Ahmed Bin Humaidan, director general of Dubai eGovernment said: “This service allows both corporate and individual customers to pay online for government services either through credit cards or direct debit from the customer’s account in the five participating banks; namely, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Dubai Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Union National Bank.”

He said that payment through credit cards was the preferred option for most people, generating Dhs1.8 billion of the total collection.

Meanwhile, the Dubai eGovernment’s mobile payment gateway, mPay, collected Dhs3.2 million through 15,645 transactions in the first half of 2012.

The mPay service allows customers to enquire about and settle fees by sending an SMS to 4488. It currently covers Salik recharge from RTA, payment of traffic fines from Dubai Police and payment of electricity bills from DEWA, the statement said.