NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the global subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has entered into an agreement with QNB, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa headquartered in Qatar, to introduce QR code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments across Qatar. This initiative aims to facilitate UPI payment acceptance through QNB’s extensive merchant network, benefiting Indian travelers visiting and transiting through the country.
Anubhav Sharma, Deputy Chief – Partnerships and Business Development at NPCI International, emphasized that enabling UPI acceptance in Qatar would greatly benefit Indian visitors by simplifying transactions and ensuring a seamless travel experience abroad. This partnership enables Indian tourists to utilize their preferred payment method across various establishments such as retail stores, tourist attractions, leisure venues, duty-free shops, and hotels.
Adel Ali Al-Malki, Senior Executive VP, QNB Group Retail Banking, highlighted that the introduction of this digital payment solution marks a significant enhancement in transaction processes, thereby revolutionizing the travel experience for visitors.
Additionally, NPCI International Payments Limited has partnered with Network International, a leading digital commerce company in the Middle East and Africa, to further expand UPI capabilities. This collaboration aims to facilitate smooth UPI payments for Indian travelers at merchants in the UAE, whether they are tourists or NRIs residing in the country. This allows them to conveniently make payments by scanning QR codes using Point of Sale machines.
Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NPCI International, expressed optimism about the growing acceptance of UPI payments among UAE merchants, emphasizing its role in promoting innovative digital payment solutions globally.
