Oberthur Card Systems was already a key actor, in the Spanish health card sector, offering full range services from card manufacturing to personalization. Thanks to this new step forward, the Group will provide personalized cards to 12 provinces representing 40% of the Spanish population. As part of the transaction, SetCard’s founder, Mr José Antonio Escudero, who had been involved in the definition of the Spanish health card specifications, in 1990, is joining Oberthur Card Systems. “After the government decision in October 2005 to go for electronic prescription, Oberthur Card Systems is reinforcing its presence in order to better assist local health administrations in their migration towards microprocessor cards. This acquisition is part of the global strategy of the company to develop a worldwide network of personalization bureaus by identifying key local players,” said Xavier Drilhon, Europe Region Managing Director at Oberthur Card Systems. www.oberthurcs.com