'Dubai Plus' city privilege card unveiled

The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai and the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) together with National Plus and Network International, a payment solutions provider, yesterday unveiled ‘Dubai Plus,’ a first of its kind City Privilege Card programme for government and semi-government employees in Dubai offering various benefits and discounts including loyalty points on purchases and services.

The programme is an initiative by DED and DGHR that comes in line with the ‘Happiness Index’ for Dubai.

A multi-segment programme and all-in-one shopping solution, the Dubai Plus programme involves a smart card equipped with the highest level of security, along with a programme management platform, a website and a mobile application.

The cardholder can use it to make purchases within Dubai, pay for public transport and other RTA (Roads & Transport Authority) services and avail of a range of discounts and offers as well as earn loyalty points in the process.

Dubai Plus was launched by Ali Ibrahim, Deputy Director General of DED; Mohammad Bin Markhan AlKetbi, Managing Director of National Plus; Bhairav Trivedi, CEO of Network International, and Samer Soliman, Executive Vice President - Product and Innovation, Network International, during the ‘Cards & Payments Middle East 2015’ exhibition, which opened in Dubai yesterday.

Amal Mohammed Bin Udai, Director General, DGHR, said: “Our support for ‘Dubai Plus’ comes in line with our continuing efforts to support the DGHR discounts programmes – one of the premier elements in the Dubai Happiness Index initiative.”

Bin Udai stressed on the importance of DGHR discounts programmes as an effective means to provide world-class services and to ensure satisfaction, happiness and well-being of Dubai’s human resources. Bin Udai also pointed out the need to strengthen the strategic partnership between the public and private sectors in order to realise the vision of the leadership to provide a decent life for the people of the UAE and achieve the objectives set in the Dubai 2021 Plan.

Bin Udai also emphasised the significance of unified efforts to launch more initiatives to provide privileges and added services as a key pillar of support in attracting and retaining skilled and talented human resources within the government sector.

“We are delighted to be launching Dubai Plus in co-operation with National Plus and supported by Network International, thus reaffirming the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving sustainable development and enhancing competitiveness levels in all sectors in Dubai,” said Ibrahim.

He also stated that Dubai Plus contributes to the efforts to make Dubai a Green City as the programme will reduce carbon footprint by using electronic channels to reach out to consumers instead of print advertisements.

AlKetbi said National Plus was proud to offer the first privilege programme supporting government excellence. “National Plus focuses on providing the best added value through Dubai Plus, which is scheduled to be activated in the last quarter of 2015,” AlKetbi added.

“A commitment to innovation to drive forward Dubai’s vision of becoming a smart economy is a value we share jointly with the DED,” said Bhairav Trivedi

“To ensure transparency and meet customer expectations, the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection sector in DED will monitor the privileges and discounts offered on Dubai Plus and act to resolve any complaints received regarding disputes between traders and consumers,” said Ibrahim.

The privileges offered by Dubai Plus covers various sectors such as fashion, food and beverage, hospitality, entertainment, electronics, and travel. Dubai Plus members will also be entitled to a range of value-added services from a dedicated management team, which will also information and consultancy to make shopping a pleasure for customers.

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