In Mexico, and throughout Latin America, the use of smart card technology is on the rise. 30 percent of the bankcards in Mexico are smart cards, and the country plans on pushing that statistic to a full 100 percent by 2008. In Brazil, where nearly 98 percent of payment terminals are equipped for smart cards, the fraud rate has reportedly dropped by 80 percent. Governments are also using the technology for such applications as healthcare cards. All told, Latin American countries spent upwards of $200 million (USD) on card technologies last year, a 70 percent increase over the previous year.

From May 8-9, Mexico City will host “Smart Cards for Government and Payment,” a conference put on by the Smart Card Alliance and Global Platform. The conference will highlight recent advancements in smart card technology along with prospects for future growth.
The timing of the conference is fitting, with the recent push for increased smart card use in Mexico and across Latin America. The conference will highlight how new smart card technology can be used by banks, merchants, and industry providers, as well as governments.
Day one will center on “Government and Secure Identification.” A series of guest speakers will discuss specific examples of government smart card use in areas such as identity card choices, biometrics, credentialing initiatives, health cards, and access cards. AlphaCard offers several high-security ID Card Systems designed for government programs.
Day two explores “Financial and Contactless Payment,” with speakers providing insight into the benefits of smart card technology in financial and mobile markets. Subjects include smart payment in Latin America, how the New Field Communications (NFC) standard effects contactless and mobile phone payments, and the rise of electronic payments in Mexico. There will also be a panel discussion on contactless payment as it relates to transit, along with a case study presentation spotlighting the Sao Paulo Public Transit System.
Along with the myriad of speakers and presentations, the conference will feature exhibits and demonstrations from a host of top companies within the smart card industry.
With Mexico and Latin America fully embracing the use of smart cards, a conference such as this can only help in advancing the process by introducing increasingly effective applications of the technology.
Read the complete press release here…