Emirates ID distributes 700,000 e-card readers in 18 months

The Emirates Identity Authority has revealed that the electronic card readers it had distributed to public and private sector organisations since the middle of 2013 until December 2014, numbering about 700,000, resulted in savings to the tune of Dh50 million for the recipient organisations.
The Emirates ID said the distribution of the card readers was aimed at achieving its strategic objective of integration and inter-linkage, thereby maximising the use of the identity card and making it the principal document of individual identification in the country in both the public and private sectors.
The Authority stressed that it had distributed most of the cards free of cost, except in the case of commercial entities. "The use of the card readers will help establishments ascertain individual identities of their customers more reliably and much faster, saving money and time as well as simplifying procedures," it clarified.
The Authority said the distribution of card readers would conclude as per a set time frame, resulting in an advanced identity management system in all sectors across the country and supporting the transition to a secure and globally competitive knowledge economy. The Authority called upon organisations in the public and private sectors to use the links in its website for taking advantage of the card readers and to avail of the many services available through it and the rich information given such as the types of card readers compatible with the Emirates ID cards, updated data. This can also be used to seek technical support from the Authority, it added.