GITEX 2016: RTA Signs Deals With Network International, Huawei

smart-city

The Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA) has selected the GITEX Technology Week 2016 as the stage to sign on some key partnerships that will shape its year ahead. RTA has partnered with Network International, a payment solutions provider in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), to enable retail payments through NOL cards at select merchant outlets in Dubai, leveraging the Mercury domestic scheme platform.

It has also signed a MoU with the Huawei International, dubbing the deal as an important step towards stepping up the partnership with a renowned telecommunication provider at the local, regional and international levels, which would help RTA to build effective partnerships, and deliver improved services.

Retail Payments
For NOL card users in Dubai the Network International deal would mean, starting next year, they would be able to use their cards to make quick and easy payments for purchases at several retail outlets that accept Mercury cards at POS terminals, as well as for transit.

Abdulla Al Madani, CEO of RTA’s Corporate Technology Support Services Sector said, “Enabling public from all social segments to use NOL cards to meet their retail payments’ needs is aligned with RTA’s strategic goal No. 3, which is ‘People Happiness.’ RTA has always sought the best methods to make people in the UAE, including citizens, residents, tourists and visitors, happy by providing them with safer, sophisticated, secure and faster solutions that enhance and make their lives happy, more easy and comfortable,” said Al Madani.

“Network International is pleased to extend our partnership with RTA for another milestone project that supports the Smart City vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and could potentially benefit thousands of public transport users in Dubai every day. The success of transit cards displacing cash for retail payments has been evident around the world, including in cities like London and Hong Kong where the Oyster and Octopus cards are ubiquitous. We are confident that the same can be replicated in Dubai and look forward to continue to support this initiative,” added Bhairav Trivedi, Group CEO of Network International.

Technological Trends
“The RTA has always been seeking to bring about happiness to clients and users of public transport means as well beneficiaries of its diverse and smart services. In accordance with the MoU, RTA would work with Huawei International Co. Limited on improving and keeping abreast of the technological trends worldwide. This would help RTA to achieve the vision of the Dubai Government in uplifting the profile of the Emirate towards becoming the smartest city in the world in three years, and boost its image as a global hub for finance, business, tourism and services, rendering it one of the leading cities in smart applications,” said Al Madani.

“The partnership between Huawei and RTA is based on a mutual collaboration to develop a strategic roadmap for innovative, transformative services that will fulfill Dubai’s vision to become a smarter, happier city,” said Alaa El Shimy, Managing Director, Huawei Enterprise, Middle East.

“This collaboration will see Huawei leverage its global expertise in smart city deployments to support the RTA’s vision to provide a more seamless experience for its commuters across its public transport system. We look forward to being able to implement Best of Class technological practices that can support the RTA with Smart roads and public transport initiatives with its Big Data and IoT analytics platforms that can ultimately, offer a personalized and optimized experience for UAE residents and for visitors attending mega events such as the Expo 2020,” he added.

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