ID Card recognition pilot phase between UAE, Bahrain and Oman to be launched

The meeting of the Committee which was held in Manama recently, has recommended the launch of the pilot phase between the UAE, Oman and Bahrain borders.

The meeting held in affiliation with the General Secretarial of GCC countries, discussed a number of important issues concerning the smart ID card and its use by individuals traveling between GCC countries.

Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri, Director General of EIDA (Emirates Identity Authority) headed the UAE delegation to the meeting accompanied by Abdullah Mohamed Askar, IT Consultant at EIDA and Ahmad Mohammad Bin Amir, Director of Card Issuing Department, EIDA.

"The meeting was of vital importance as it highlighted the joint efforts of GCC countries in the field of ID cards especially in the case of travel between GCC countries"

said Dr. Al Dhaheri.

"Participants presented the achievements of their countries in the field of smart cards at this meeting. Recommendations on the pilot phase of the ID card recognition pilot between the UAE, Oman and Bahrain were also considered. It was also recommended that a final report shall be submitted by end of May 2006" he added.

The meetings held over three days placed special emphasis on smart card applications and its uses in GCC countries through e-gate facilities at airports and other ports equipped to handle such systems.

EIDA has been given responsibility for introducing a modern Population Register and ID Card system, which will further the country's efforts towards the provision of a secure environment for citizens and expatriate residents of the UAE. It is designed to keep personal identities secured from fraudulent or unauthorized use, support government planning services, enhance economic growth and place the UAE in the front ranks of the information technology age.