Dubai, UAE, 14^th April 2003

Dubai eGovernment and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Humanitarian and Charity Foundation have recently announced the launch of eContribution – a new initiative to raise funds for the “Our People in Iraq” campaign through the Dubai eGovernment portal, www.dubai.ae. The fund, which has been set up to alleviate the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Iraq, will support the organization’s role in delivering key supplies of aid to various emergency areas in the country.

Donations to Dubai eGovernment’s eContribution initiative to help the Iraqi people can now be made online, thanks to the rapid implementation of Comtrust’s ePayments service. Secure credit card contributions can be transacted through a link provided at the Dubai eGovernment portal www.dubai.ae, which offers an alternative, more convenient method of supporting a worthy cause.

Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, General Manager, Comtrust noted, “The current political situation in the region causes great concern to all of us. The government and people of the UAE have taken the problems of the Iraqis to their hearts and responded with moral and financial support. People inside and outside the UAE can show their support to their Iraqi brothers and sisters using the convenience of Comtrust’s ePayment service. The ePayment’s service, using Public Key Infrastructure technology from Comtrust, offers Dubai eGovernment a safe and secure channel for receiving and processing contributions in an efficient manner.”

Salem Al Shair, Director of eServices, Dubai eGovernment commented, “eContribution is Dubai eGovernment’s response to a humanitarian crisis unfolding in Iraq. With the swift response from Comtrust, we were able to offer a complete service in an ambitious time frame. In collaboration with the Dubai eGovernment’s IT team, Comtrust integrated the ePayments service with the eContribution application within ten hours, ensuring a successful launch of the online donations.”

Another implementation of Comtrust’s ePayments service marks a growing trend, in which the digital economy is providing new and innovative methods in which people can help specific causes without the inconvenience of making a personal visit for making a financial contribution.