Dubai Smart Government's mPay app achieves 265% rise in collections in 2013

Dubai Smart Government's mPay amounts have increased by 265% in 2013, demonstrating the rise of mobile app payments in the region. The mPay app was launched by Dubai Smart Government in part implementation of the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for the transition to a smart government. The iPhone and Android mPay app combines payments from Dubai Police, DEWA, RTA and Etisalat, as well as donations towards Dubai Cares and Al Jalila Foundation. From 5,720 downloads in 2012, the number of downloads for iPhone and Android phones rose to 13,606, up by 138 percent, while the number of transactions rose from 38,886 to 95,867 in the same period, up by 147 percent. This helped the amounts generated through mPay to jump from around AED 8.7 million by the end of 2012 to around AED 31.8 million by the end of 2013, up by 265 percent. Commenting on these results, Ahmed bin Humaidan, Director General of Dubai Smart Government, said: "Great importance is attached to our mobile apps, as we consider them an effective channel for enabling customers to access government services on the move. Upon launching and subsequently developing this app, Dubai Smart Government was keen on its connected smart government principles, so it tied up with its major partners to offer a convenient app in one place. This meets the needs and aspirations in implementation of the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for easing access to all government transactions from one place and through a mobile device." Bin Humaidan added: "By downloading the free app under the name "mPay", from the App Stores for iPhone users and from Google Play Store for Android users, customers can benefit from a package of commonly used services including: payment of traffic fines, settlement of electricity and water bills, recharge of Salik '&' Nol, and settlement of Etisalat bills." Additionally, the app allows individual and corporate customers to inquire and pay for the services of the entities participating in it as well as donate to Dubai Cares and Al Jalila Foundation's projects through the auto-payment feature, which allows regular payment (daily, weekly, monthly or at a specific date given by the customers). The feature also allows control over the minimum balance and the maximum payment/recharge. Moreover, users can optimize the "multiple accounts" feature by phasing several payments at selected dates. The service settings can be configured to support multiple accounts for one government service. For example, a customer can recharge the Salik account of his/her car and that of another car.