Financial services, Government, UAE

Smart Dubai turns to blockchain to expedite government transactions

Smart Dubai Office (SDO) has launched the ‘Payment Reconciliation and Settlement’ System, which was developed in collaboration with the Dubai Department of Finance as a blockchain-powered upgrade to its financial system.

The new system introduces Blockchain technology into the Department’s processes, allowing transactions to be performed accurately and in real time and economising time and effort.

Her Excellency Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr
Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, director-general, Smart Dubai

The Department of Finance’s current procedures rely on having staff members physically go through payments collected from various portals to manually reconcile and settle them, deducting the fees due to the Department and then transferring the remaining amounts to the relevant Authority – a time-consuming process that could take up to 45 days.

“Smart technologies continue to infiltrate every aspect of human life and societies; virtually everything we do today relies fully or to some degree on an advanced technology once considered ‘disruptive’,” said Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, director general, SDO.

“Guided by the forward-thinking vision of its leadership, Dubai has long been a trailblazer in embracing avant-garde technologies – most notably those of the Fourth Industrial Revolution – and tailoring them to meet the needs of our citizens, residents and visitors, in a bid to transform Dubai into the happiest and smartest city in the world.

“Blockchain is one of the most promising of these technologies, attracting more investments every year,” Dr Aisha added. “Once again, Dubai was a pioneer in this sector and continues to make progress with the launch of the ‘Payment Reconciliation and Settlement’ System, which falls in line with the ambitious Dubai Blockchain Strategy, launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. The Strategy seeks to increase government efficiency by transferring 100% of government transactions to the Blockchain network.”

She noted that ensuring the success of the ‘Payment Reconciliation and Settlement’ system requires fostering collaboration and synergy among the various Government entities that have joined – or are planning to join – the system, considering that it calls for each entity to open its data and work hand-in-hand with other departments from across the Government spectrum.

Meanwhile, Wesam Lootah, CEO of the Smart Dubai Government Establishment (SDG), noted that the new and advanced ‘Payment Reconciliation and Settlement’ System offers Dubai Government entities many significant benefits, which includes near real-time reconciliations and settlement, smooth financial processes through automation and minimising human intervention. “It allows for clear visibility of funds; immediate disputes and claims resolution; transparency and immutability of financial records.”

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) were the first government agencies to join the system; the two entities have already processed a combined total of more than five million transactions using the advanced Blockchain-powered system.

In the coming period, more Government entities will be joining the System, most notably: Dubai Police; Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); Dubai Health Authority (DHA); Dubai Airports; Dubai Customs; Dubai Municipality; Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM); Dubai Courts; and Dubai Holding, among other local Government bodies and a number of prominent banks and financial services providers.

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