The SPA brings together the industry's largest manufacturers of payment smart cards with the objective to accelerate the transition from traditional magnetic stripe cards to chip-based cards.

Austria Card adds the experience of its latest innovations to elaborate effective and efficient means of payment. With its detailed knowledge of the Central and Eastern European market, Austria Card ensures that the particular requirements of this geographical area are served.

"All SPA members welcome Austria Card on board of our association. As a member-driven organisation we will strongly benefit from Austria Card's engagement." said Dr. Andreas Strobel, President of the SPA. "The new member will strengthen our efforts in negotiating framework terms and conditions with the leading international payment schemes, creating advantages for the whole industry. Austria Card will also add a complementary geographic market view to SPA's Market Monitoring Process due to its strong foothold in the Eastern European markets."

"We are happy to cooperate in the SPA, where the experts of the smart card industry come together to smooth the way for new technologies. SPA's orientation fits in perfectly with Austria Card's innovative philosophy. Together, we will not only be up to date but ahead of time," said Max Paul, Group Director Marketing and Business Development of the Lykos Group and Head of Marketing at Austria Card GmbH.