Oman launches its first online payment system

Oman's Information Technology Authority has announced the coming launch of its e-payment gateway, which is planned on August 30. According to the authorities, a new gateway will enable the users to pay for government services and purchase products via Internet. If launched in the end of the month, ePG will be the first portal for online transactions. 

According to Muhanna Moosa Baqer, manager of ITA's e-payments, the new portal will come as a fillip to the government, businesses and consumers alike. 

"If we look directly at savings for the government, administrative costs will be reduced through the use of less stationery and, more importantly, the better utilisation of labour resources. Currently the government spends a lot of money on employing people to process payments. With the new ePG system, these workers can be re-trained to obtain skills in customer service and marketing. The government will also be able to manage its finances better since people will be more likely to pay their bills and fees on time if they can do so from home. Of course, there will also be intangible socio-economic benefits such as a more efficient workforce that won't be wasting time in queues at cashier counters," explains Moosa Baqer, manager of ITA's e-payments. 

The technology is based on the MasterCard Internet Gateway System (MIGS) platform. All the transactions will be made via Bank Muscat, however the owners told that they are negotiating with the representatives of other banks.