New Delhi, Sep 24 (NationPress) NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), a branch of the National Payments Corporation of India, announced on Wednesday that it has successfully enabled the acceptance of QR code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) across Qatar through a collaboration with Qatar National Bank (QNB).

This initiative will empower Indian travelers to execute UPI payments effortlessly at prominent tourist attractions and Qatar Duty Free outlets, which is the inaugural merchant to commence UPI transactions.

The service is available through point-of-sale (POS) terminals for merchants facilitated by QNB, a leading financial entity in the Middle East and Africa, and is powered by NETSTARS’ payment solution, a provider from Japan.

Indians comprise the second largest group of international visitors to Qatar.

This collaboration is designed to facilitate real-time transactions across the nation, diminishing the necessity to carry physical cash and engage in currency exchanges.

Ritesh Shukla, MD and CEO of NPCI International, stated, “Our goal is to globally enhance UPI acceptance and establish a truly interoperable global payment network. Partnering with QNB is a significant step in this journey, enabling millions of Indian travelers to conduct seamless, secure digital transactions while reducing cash dependency.”

As UPI continues to expand its footprint, the focus is on promoting interoperability and simplifying cross-border payment experiences for users, he added.

The acceptance of UPI in Qatar not only fosters interoperability but also broadens UPI's global presence.

Additionally, it is anticipated to benefit Qatar's retail and tourism industries, as UPI adoption will elevate transaction volumes for merchants supported by QNB, aiding them in scaling operations while enhancing customer convenience.

Yousef Mahmoud Al-Neama, Group Chief Business Officer at QNB, remarked, “We are thrilled to introduce UPI in Qatar and take pride in leading the innovation of the payment landscape.”

This achievement not only enhances convenience for Indian travelers but also provides substantial advantages to the Qatari economy by encouraging cashless transactions, boosting the retail and tourism sectors, and fortifying interoperability within the payment ecosystem, he added.

This partnership fortifies India's digital payment presence while delivering a seamless and secure payment experience for Indian travelers in Qatar.

Tsuyoshi Ri, Representative Director and CEO of NETSTARS Co., Ltd., expressed, “We are privileged to partake in this strategic partnership and milestone, enabling UPI for the first time in Qatar alongside NPCI International, Qatar Airways Group, and Qatar National Bank.”