Doha, Qatar – QNB, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, has announced a landmark agreement with India’s NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) to introduce QR code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) merchant payments across Qatar. This initiative represents a significant milestone, enabling UPI payment acceptance through QNB’s extensive merchant network, and providing a seamless payment solution for Indian travelers visiting and transiting through Qatar.
Revolutionizing Payments for Indian Tourists and Qatari Merchants
Indian tourists will now have the convenience of using their preferred UPI payment method at various retail stores, tourist attractions, leisure sites, duty-free shops, and hotels across Qatar. This partnership is set to enhance the travel experience for Indian visitors, ensuring hassle-free transactions during their stay.
Local merchants in Qatar stand to gain considerably from this innovative payment solution. By adopting UPI payments, merchants can offer a faster and more convenient checkout process, leading to increased customer satisfaction. This development is expected to attract a larger number of international travelers, driving sales and business growth.
Leadership Insights on the Strategic Initiative
Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Adel Ali Al-Malki, Senior Executive Vice President, QNB Group Retail Banking, stated: “We are thrilled to embark on this pioneering journey with NIPL to bring UPI payments to Qatar, setting a new standard in innovation in the region. With this new digital payment solution, we are revolutionizing the way transactions are conducted, enhancing the travel experience like never before. We are 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.”
Anubhav Sharma, Deputy Chief – Partnerships and Business Development, NPCI International, added: “We are happy to collaborate with Qatar National Bank to bring UPI payments to Qatar. We believe that enabling UPI acceptance in Qatar will offer substantial benefits to the large number of Indians visiting Qatar, simplifying their transactions and ensuring a hassle-free travel experience abroad. Additionally, Qatari merchants will greatly benefit from UPI, gaining access to a wider customer base and more efficient payment and collection processing.”
Enhancing Qatar’s Tourism and Commerce Landscape
This partnership underscores QNB’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology to enhance its service offerings and support Qatar’s vision of becoming a global hub for tourism and commerce. By enabling QR code-based UPI payment acceptance, QNB is paving the way for a more connected and digitally inclusive future.
About QNB Group
QNB Group currently ranks as the most valuable bank brand in the Middle East and Africa. Through its subsidiaries and associate companies, the Group extends to more than 28 countries across three continents, providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. With over 30,000 employees operating through 900 locations, and an ATM network exceeding 5,000 machines, QNB continues to lead the region in financial innovation and customer service excellence.
