News

Bahrain to issue national smart cards

August 26, 2003

BAHRAIN -- The government of Bahrain plans to issue smart cards to all residents of Bahrain, starting in 2004.

According to a report in the Gulf News, the cards will carry passport and Central Population Register (CPR) details, as well as driving license and health and education records. The cards will also function as an electronic purse.

Benefit, which runs the country's ATM banking network, will provide support for the smart card system.

"With this card the public will enjoy quick access to various government ministries and private sector companies, to complete certain formalities without having to stand in a queue," said Central Informatic Organisation (CIO) Under-Secretary Shaikh Ahmed bin Ateyatalla Al Khalifa. "This in turn would give a boost to the economy as money is being transported via the card within a minimum time frame."

According to Gulf News, 500 card reading units will be installed at various ministries to support the new system. Another 100 portable devices will be distributed to personnel working at the traffic directorate, ambulance and other mobile services.

"The Labour and Social Affairs Ministry will also be equipped with these devices, to help in cutting down on the time needed to complete registration," said Shaikh Ahmed. "It will also help in preventing tampering with official documents, such as forging passports."

All ministries will have a special code to access only the information related to them and will not be able to trespass or explore other unrelated files, he said.

The cards will have 32 kilobytes to 64 kilobytes of memory, which can be upgraded with new applications whenever needed.