Indians traveling to Qatar can now make payments using UPI by scanning a QR code. This development follows an agreement between NPCI International Payments (NIPL) and QNB, the leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa. This collaboration will enable UPI payments across the QNB merchant network, benefiting Indian travelers visiting and transiting through Qatar.
Anubhav Sharma, deputy chief of partnerships and business development at NIPL, stated that UPI acceptance in Qatar will significantly benefit the large number of Indians visiting the country, simplifying their transactions. Indian travelers will now be able to use their preferred payment methods at retail outlets, tourist spots, leisure venues, duty-free stores, and hotels.
According to NPCI, it is expected that 9.8 million Indian tourists will visit Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in 2024, with 5.29 million of these arrivals expected in the UAE alone. By implementing UPI payments, merchants in Qatar can offer a more seamless payment and checkout experience. Adel Ali Al-Malki, senior executive VP of QNB Group Retail Banking, mentioned that this new digital payment solution is revolutionizing transaction processes, enhancing the travel experience.
UPI, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), is a mobile-centric payment system that allows users to send and receive money through QR code scans or phone numbers. It supports various platforms like BHIM, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, PhonePe, and BharatPe, with no transaction charges. UPI Lite allows transactions without requiring a PIN or internet connection but has a transaction limit of Rs 500 and a daily limit of Rs 4,000.
Source: Business Standard