India’s NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) has partnered with Network International to introduce QR code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This new feature will be available across Network’s point-of-sale (POS) terminals, enhancing transaction ease for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Indian tourists.
The launch event took place in Dubai on July 3, 2024, with India’s Consul General Satish Kumar Sivan and officials from both organizations in attendance. The UPI payment option is now accessible at over 200,000 POS terminals, spanning 60,000 merchants in sectors such as retail, hospitality, transport, and supermarkets.
NPCI International plans to gradually expand UPI acceptance to various retail stores, dining venues, and tourist attractions like Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates. This initiative aims to provide a secure and seamless payment method for Indian visitors and residents in the UAE.
Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NPCI International, highlighted that this partnership will enhance UPI’s presence in the UAE and offer a smooth payment experience for Indian travelers. Jamal Al Nassai, Group Managing Director at Network International, praised the collaboration as a significant step for their extensive merchant network.
With 5.29 million Indian arrivals expected in the UAE this year, UPI’s integration into UAE’s payment systems reflects the growing digital payment landscape. UPI, India’s leading instant payment system, processed 14.04 billion transactions in May 2024.
Source: The Siasat Daily
