The smart card expert now intends to expand its position in the Italian banking market in cooperation with its local partner.

Sagem Orga's new EMV Plus card complies with the standard specified by the Associazione Bancaria Italiana (ABI) and completes a product range perfectly tailored for the Italian market. With an application certified by CoGeBan, the EMV Plus ABI card will address 100% of banks in the Italian market.

Sagem Orga has chosen Mega Network, an Italian card producer, as its strategic smart card manufacturing partner for this market drive. Mega Network is responsible for production and personalization. "By cooperating with a local partner, we can guarantee our customers maximum flexibility and minimized delivery times. We have been experiencing almost two years of successful business thanks to our partnership with Mega Network and we are aiming to become market leader now that ABI cards are part of our offer", said Pierre Henri Manegrier, Senior Vice President EMEA Banking & Identity at Sagem Orga.

Sagem Orga has sold several million EMV cards and modules to Italian banks since entry in the market beginning of last year. The company has made a name for itself in Italy's prepaid segment and as a producer of cards with value-added applications. The availability of the EMV Plus ABI cards will contribute to extend the card supplier's market share.