TRA introduces regulations for UAE certification service providers

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced that it has established the policies needed for licensing and regulation of Certification Service Providers (CSP) operating in the UAE. This is in line with the TRA?s objective to establish a secure environment for e-commerce and electronic transactions in the UAE. The initiative is part of TRA's overall objective to regulate CSPs who offer Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) solutions that help businesses conduct e-commerce securely on the web. By developing a solid regulatory framework for CSPs, the TRA aims to create a transparent and structured process through which CSPs can offer their services by following clear guidelines. The regulations will be applicable to all Certification Service Providers operating in the UAE, namely Etisalat, Al Hilal Bank and Global Information Technology (GIT) and to all who provide electronic attestation services directly or indirectly to the public for commercial purposes, through electronic records, documents and signatures as part of electronic transactions and e-commerce. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, TRA Acting Director-General, said, "As the e-commerce market in the UAE continues to experience unprecedented growth due to high levels of internet and mobile device usage, the TRA is committed to enhancing the quality of services offered, raising public awareness and facilitating the growth of the e-commerce sector in the country that accounts for around 60% of total GCC e-commerce sales. With their unique capacity to verify the authenticity of users' digital signatures, Certification Service Providers play a key role in facilitating growth in this sector. With this in mind, the TRA has established the needed regulatory framework that will help empower online trade in the UAE and bolster the nation's confidence in e-commerce by guaranteeing a trustworthy experience for online purchasers." The TRA will also be hosting the country's first Electronic Transaction and Commerce Summit that will take place in September 2013 in Dubai. The event will gather stakeholders from the e-commerce industry to discuss existing regulations and guidelines, and highlight any issues concerned with the growth of the e-commerce sector while driving public trust in electronic transactions.