Emirates Identity Authority and Etisalat sign ICT agreement at GITEX

The MOU was signed at GITEX 2006 in keeping with the high technology theme of the announcement.

The agreement with Etisalat aims at establishing a unified system for developing and managing advanced applications to support the usage of the National Identity Card, as well as developing e-finance transactions and an application portfolio. Further applications will enhance the use of national ID cards for authentication and authorisation of cardholders for on-line identity management. The MOU was signed by H.E Darwish Al Zarouni, Director General, EIDA, and Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, COO of Etisalat.

The initiative seeks to establish and manage an online database for authenticating digital certificates issued by the Authority, and for better utilizing Etisalat Comtrust Digital certificates for commercial digital signature applications. Etisalat will also provide ICT professional services to EIDA, in addition to supporting any new business-related services and programs.

'The signing of the MOU with Etisalat is in line with our strategy to enhance cooperation with leading ICT service providers. It will further develop the Population Register and ID Card system. This will result in enhancing the performance of the Authority as well as establishing an IT culture in the society,' Al Zarouni noted.

'The agreement also targets development of additional electronic applications which will be linked with the national ID Card. In this way, cardholders will be able to use it in a variety of online applications including e-Government, e-commerce and e-payments, ' Al Zarouni said.

Ahmed Abdulkarim Julfar, Chief Operating Officer of Etisalat, said,

'Signing this MOU with Emirates Identity Authority is consistent with our corporate strategy aimed at enhancing cooperation and communication with government institutions and personnel in order to help businesses run smoothly and improve the quality of services offered to citizens and residents of UAE.'

Julfar added, 'Etisalat is very pleased to be working with the Authority in this significant endeavour. This agreement is a key indicator of the comprehensive nature of services and specialized expertise that Etisalat can offer. We will be working very closely with the Authority, other ministries and business entities to develop and deliver a unique solution through which the national ID cards will be enabled to identify users for e-Government services, thus reducing paper work significantly. Users will be able to pay for services using the same card as well. Etisalat will also integrate its digital signature solutions for additional security and convenience.'

EIDA is currently developing a sophisticated and modern system for a population registry and national ID Card that will provide cardholders with the latest measures to safeguard their virtual identities from fraud while maintaining individual privacy. The system also supports plans for the improved delivery of services, future resource allocation and benefits, thus maintaining economic growth and establishing a society that is well-prepared for the IT environment.