The Iraqi government has expressed interest in learning about India’s experience with its smart card program that provides health insurance benefits to the poor, reports The Hindu Business Line.

The Iraq government is interested in moving from a universal public distribution system to a more targeted system. To that end, Iraq has requested that the World Bank facilitate a workshop wherein the Indian Labour Department could share their learnings from this effort.

Different states in India are in various phases of using biometric smart cards to deliver these benefits. The Chattisgarh government has been phasing in the cards throughout the state, but the Kerala government plans to implement the cards by July.

Other countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Ghana are also interested in India’s new system.

The World Bank’s workshop will take place in Istanbul, Turkey.

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