Association of Banks: More than 600 government institutions adopt electronic payment , 10 OCT

 Association of Banks: More than 600 government institutions adopt electronic payment

10/8/2024  Baghdad

The Association of Private Banks confirmed, on Tuesday, that the number of government institutions relying on electronic payment has increased to 600.

The Executive Director of the Private Banks Association, Ali Tariq, said in a statement reported by the official news agency, and reviewed by "Al-Eqtisad News", that "the government decisions obligating government institutions and many private institutions to provide an electronic payment window - which began to be implemented in March 2023 - have brought about a tangible change in the use of this system in Iraq."

He added, "The infrastructure was ready with the support of the Central Bank of Iraq, with prior instructions and great cooperation between banks and electronic payment companies."

He pointed out that "government support has contributed to accelerating the spread of electronic payment, as we have witnessed during the past year and a half a significant increase in the number of cards issued, reaching 20 million cards, including 2 million cards issued during the last year. The number of electronic payment devices has also increased to more than 30 thousand devices, and it is expected that this number will double by the beginning of next year."

Tarek explained that “the number of government institutions that have adopted the electronic payment system has exceeded 600 institutions, after it was only about 50 institutions, which led to a significant increase in the volume of trading,” noting that “this system has many benefits for citizens, projects and the government, as it provides security, speed and low costs compared to transferring money and its exposure to damage, theft or counterfeiting.”

He stressed that "the next phase will witness a greater expansion in the use of electronic cards and an increase in electronic payment operations, with the primary goal of providing an easy and inexpensive service to the Iraqi citizen, whether in government or private institutions."  LINK