‘Services by three ministries can now be paid for online’

AMMAN — More public and private entities are now linked to the eFAWATEERcom service, which enables Jordanians to inquire about and pay their bills online.

The ministries of interior, municipal affairs and trade, as well as the Royal Medical Services (RMS) and the Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) on Monday signed agreements with the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) to offer services through the online platform.

In February, the CBJ certified the local company Madfoo3atCom for Electronic Payments to launch the eFAWATEERcom service, which has been providing some 178 e-payment services for 47 private and public entities since its launch, according to the CBJ.

Under the agreement, the Ministry of Interior allows e-payment for 23 of its services, including ones for residency, while the Ministry of Municipal Affairs offers the online payment option for several services, including taxes on buildings and lands, the CBJ said.

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply now allows payment for its commercial registrar and for obtaining a commercial name through the portal, whereas the RMS will allow participants in its international conferences to submit participation fees via the software, according to the central bank.

The JBA will also allow its members to submit fees for membership, conference participation and advertising through the portal. eFAWATEERcom facilitates payment proce-dures, saves users’ time and allows them further flexibility in using various inquiry and payment channels, said CBJ Governor Ziad Fariz, underscoring the system’s safety and transparency due to its “instant” transactions.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, he highlighted the service as part of the bank’s efforts to enhance the national payment system that encourages the move from traditional payment methods to electronic ones.

Fariz stressed the role of the service in controlling public spending and consumption, noting that the system will function as a reference for the credit information bureau in providing information on users’ commitment to settling their bills.

He added that the system is an example of public-private sector partnership, built entirely by local expertise, which adds value to the project. M a d f oo3atCom Founder and CEO Nasser Saleh told The Jordan Times that eFAWATEERcom has so far processed over 500,000 bills, valued at JD41 million, citing a daily average exceeding 3,000 bills.

“We expect the number to grow,” he said, noting that of those who have tried the software commit to paying their bills through it.