The Sultanate of Oman’s national ID card program is the first smart card-based e-government solution ever deployed in the Middle East. It is part of the Sultanate’s policy to improve the quality of public service and homeland security infrastructure. Its core objective is to modernize the Sultanate’s identification system and processes, making it more efficient and secure, both for government authorities and citizens. As part of this objective, the creation of a National Registry System will become the pillar of all future Omani e-Government initiatives. In addition, the Sultanate of Oman is aiming to develop new technical skills within the Royal Oman Police force, the local authority managing the ID program. The first phase of the ID program, that began in January 2004, has enabled more than 1.2 million Omani citizens and residents to benefit from a secure and convenient identification means that stores personal credentials such as name, address, digital photograph, fingerprints, driving license, etc. In addition to digital identification, electronic gates have been implemented for border control. In the near future, the national ID card will integrate an electronic purse as well as e-government applications. Emmanuelle.saby@gemalto.com www.gemalto.com