NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) has signed an agreement with Qatar-based commercial banking company QNB to launch QR code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments across the country.

Enabling UPI acceptance in Qatar

This initiative marks a significant move by enabling UPI payment acceptance in Qatar through the QNB merchant network, greatly benefiting Indian travelers visiting and transiting through the country. This partnership will provide Indian tourists the option to use their preferred payment method across retail stores, tourist attractions, leisure sites, duty-free shops, and hotels.

What’s the significance for Indian travelers? 

This announcement is particularly significant considering that Indians rank as the second-largest group of international visitors to Qatar. By adopting UPI payments, merchants in Qatar will also be able to offer a faster and more convenient payment and checkout process, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and opening up numerous opportunities for businesses across the country.

Ensuring a hassle-free travel experience abroad

Anubhav Sharma, deputy chief – Partnerships and Business Development at NPCI International, expressed delight in collaborating with QNB to bring UPI payments to Qatar. He believes that enabling UPI acceptance in Qatar will offer substantial benefits to the large number of Indians visiting the country, simplifying their transactions and ensuring a hassle-free travel experience abroad. Additionally, merchants in Qatar will greatly benefit from UPI, gaining access to a wider customer base and more efficient payment and collection processing.

Read more: Qatar: Two companies granted first licenses for digital payments

Empowering local merchants

Furthermore, Adel Ali Al-Malki, senior executive vice president of QNB Group Retail Banking, is thrilled to embark on this pioneering journey with NIPL to bring UPI payments to Qatar, setting a new standard of innovation in the region. He stated that this new digital payment solution acceptance will revolutionize the way transactions are conducted, enhancing the travel and hospitality experience like never before. He noted that QNB is confident that this strategic initiative will not only elevate the travel and hospitality sectors but also empower local merchants to thrive in a dynamic and increasingly digital marketplace.

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