Cards and Payments Middle East, the regions largest smart card and payments event, will be held for the 15th year running on 13 14 May, 2014, at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Featuring over 200 exhibitors, this years event will showcase the latest in cards and payments technology and solutions, in addition to being the launch pad for a range of innovative products.

The show comprises six related streams including Cards and Payments, Future Bank, the Retail Show, the e-commerce Show, Digital ID and the Mobile Show. Emirates Identity Authority is the Official Government Partner for Cards and Payments Middle East, while MasterCard, Gemalto, Oberthur Technologies and Hightech Payment Systems will serve as platinum sponsors.

Keynote speaker H.E Dr. Ali Mohammed Al-Khouri, Director General, Emirates Identity Authority said: Emirates IDs sponsorship of Cards and Payments Middle East is in line with its commitment to support and build a knowledge-based community in the UAE. This event is a significant opportunity for government and private sector to experience at first hand the latest payment solutions, smart programs and technologies, and will enable us to move forward on the smart government initiative.

Joseph Ridley, General Manager, Terrapinn said: Cards and Payments Middle East is one of our most successful events, and has witnessed a 50 per cent increase in exhibitor and delegate participation since 2013. As we enter an era where mobile promises to overhaul traditional approaches to banking, customers are demanding a more interactive experience as existing security systems are being challenged by emerging payment platforms. Given these revolutionary industry changes, we are confident that this years event will play a significant role in shaping the future of the Middle East payments sector.

Emphasising the significant opportunity for growth in the regions card payment industry, given that only 10 per cent of payments are presently processed electronically, Raghu Malhotra, Division President, MENA, at MasterCard, said: As a technology leader in the payments industry, we recognise the important role that innovation plays in driving the payments landscape in the Middle East, and are looking forward to sharing our knowledge, expertise and passion for innovation with other industry leaders at Cards and Payments Middle East.

Kristel Teyras, Middle East & Africa Marketing & Communication Manager at Gemalto, added: This annual event is proof of the opportunities in the region to facilitate business growth through effective payment platforms. The Middle East is rapidly adopting the latest technologies with mobile commerce initiatives on the rise, and this show clearly acts as a catalyst in the deployment of innovative technologies in the mobile commerce arena.

Some of the significant topics that will be discussed at Cards & Payments ME include: Innovations and trends in global payments, Creating the ultimate e-commerce offering, Driving a sustainable culture of innovation in Middle Eastern Banking, Omni-channel: the new battleground, Mobile wallets the ultimate payment disruptor, and The Digital transformation of retail. Keynote speakers include Garry Lyons, MasterCard; Laurent Wakim, PayPal, Megan Quinn, Net-a-Porter, Robert Willet, Al Futtaim Group and Renuka Jagtiani, Landmark Group.

Cards & Payments Middle East is expected to be the launch pad for several pioneering technologies, including the First Fingerprint Scanner with digital signature integration from Dermalog; voice solutions for next generation banking from Uniphore Software Systems; Schreiner PrinTrusts NFC-Sticker technology and Perpetuuiti Technosofts Continuity Platform, which fully automates the Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery processes.

UL Transaction Security will showcase its newly opened test centre in Dubai for MasterCard Formal Approval Services for Card Personalization Validation (CPV) and Terminal Integration Process (M-TIP) certifications, while Austria card (LYKOS Group) will exhibit its capability to deliver top of the range smart cards, having recently been selected as a preferred supplier for Transport for London's Oyster card, one of the most prestigious public transportation projects in the world.

The event also features the Smart Card and Payments Awards Middle East, presented by customised loyalty solution company Infinia SNS, to recognise the best players in the Smart card industry.

To register for free to visit Cards and Payments Middle East 2014 please visit www.terrapinn.com/cme