Sharjah, 20th May 2021: Considered the first achievement of its kind in the United Arab Emirates, the Sharjah Finance Department (SFD) yesterday Wednesday, launched procedures for linking and integrating the smart receipt system, Tahseel, with global digital payment wallets Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. The launch is in cooperation with Mashreq Bank.

The inauguration ceremony, which was held at the SFD’s headquarters, was attended His Excellency Waleed Al Sayegh, Director General of the SFD, as well as representatives from Mashreq Bank and the project team in the SFD and His Excellency Salim Saeed Al Midfa, CEO of Rafid Automotive Solutions. Rafid is the first entity to activate payment services through global wallets, in addition to Amin Al Zarouni, CEO of Sahab Smart Solutions, and Ban Al-Saati, General Manager of Tahseel Information Technology Company.

Pay transaction and service fees for any government or private entity affiliated with the Sharjah government

The achievement aims to facilitate payment processes in completing government and private transactions in an easy and safe manner while maintaining levels of privacy. Tahseel customers, whose numbers exceed 2,000,000, can pay transaction and service fees to any entity of the Sharjah government through these three portfolios, at any given time and from any location.

Keep up with the latest global technical developments

His Excellency Waleed Al Sayegh, said: “Based on the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, we are working to enable smart technical transformation and provide innovative digital solutions and services in a way that contributes to reducing the cost of dealers, increasing the efficiency of the procedures followed, and achieving sustainable financial resources for the government departments.”

His Excellency confirmed that the launch of this service will give approximately two million customers registered in the Tahseel system an easier and faster option to complete the payment of fees for their government and private transactions, adding that the Department is always working to improve the services provided to the public, in line with the latest global technical developments. At the same time, customers are granted more privacy and security, with the availability of service around the clock.

Poviding innovative solutions

Vibhor Mundhada- SVP, Business Manager- Acquiring & Strategic Alliances Said:“Mashreq is proud of its long standing partnership with Sharjah Finance Department. By facilitating new payment methods such as ApplePay, SamsungPay and GooglePay, Mashreq ensures that Sharjah Finance Department has a wide range of choices available to cater to the rapidly evolving demands of customers. Mashreq continues to strive towards providing innovative solutions to facilitate convenience, security and transparency in managing and conducting transactions across multiple payment channels.”

Easier experience for Rafid customers

For his part, His Excellency Salim Saeed Al Midfa, CEO of Rafid Automotive Solutions, confirmed that linking with global payment wallets provides an easier experience for Rafid customers. He added that it allows them to pay fees for a range of services around the clock via the electronic payment gateway. His Excellency thanked the Sharjah Finance Department for its efforts in expediting and simplifying the connection procedures.

Development of the smart delivery system

For her part, Ban Al-Saati, General Manager of Tahseel Information Technology Company, said, “Since we began our strategic partnership with the SFD in 2007, we have been working hard to upgrade the payment services provided to Sharjah government customers, through adopting the latest technologies and taking advantage of the rapid digital developments. We have developed the Tahseel smart receipt system to keep pace with the directives and strategies of the Sharjah government and SFD, and we are constantly striving to provide a pioneering digital payment experience that meets the requirements of all members of society in Sharjah, from government to private entities. This achievement is the result of the expertise and commitment of the Tahseel workforce, and represents a service that is the first of its kind in the government and private sectors in the emirate of Sharjah.”

Supports the emirate's strategy

Amin Al Zarouni, CEO of Sahab Smart Solutions, affirmed that the recent updates made to the Tahseel payment gateway, developed for Sharjah’s Finance Department, supports the emirate's strategy to empower a range of market sectors with smartest solutions and continue on their journey of digital transformation.

Al Zarouni added: “Sahab Smart Solutions is keen on continuing to explore such partnership opportunities with Sharjah and UAE entities. These are going to design a more competitive digital future for our nation, enhance our socioeconomic realities and ultimately improve our public services.”

A comprehensive platform for processing digital payments

The Tahseel system, which is a comprehensive platform for processing digital financial payments in real time, provides several electronic payment services for transactions, whether for individuals or companies, through multiple payment channels, including: the electronic payment gateway, the smart application on smart devices, and Rafid transactions through all channels.

During the inauguration ceremony, Mirra bin Hadda Al-Suwaidi, Head of the Financial Systems and Smart Applications Department at SFD, gave a detailed presentation about the service and its features. She confirmed that the Department is keen to be proactive in innovating technologies that provide customers with added value, in line with the government's mission to accelerate digital transformation and enhance the competitive capabilities of government agencies in the emirate of Sharjah and the United Arab Emirates.

At the end of the ceremony, His Excellency Waleed Al Sayegh handed over the Department shield to Vibhor Mundhada, Senior Vice President, Head of Merchant Acquiring, Strategic Alliances & Digital Wallets & Initiatives at Mashreq Bank, in recognition of the bank's efforts to reach this achievement.

The Sharjah Finance Department is working to achieve a number of strategic objectives that include managing, developing and providing cash liquidity; developing a performance budget system; implementing integrated and effective financial policies; building a global model in public finance; enabling smart transformation; and implementing seven-star services, in addition to strengthening the internal control system; empowering national human resources; developing a culture of excellence and innovation; and managing institutional performance.