NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), has signed an agreement with Qatar National Bank (QNB) to launch OR code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments across the country of Qatar. This is a great move by the NPCI in its continuous aims to expand UPI payment internationally.
UPI Payments in Qatar
With this launch, Indian tourists and travelers can scan QR codes to make payments using UPI across multiple retails in Qatar including hotels, duty-free shops, and more.
What are NCPI’s aims for this launch?
A press release from NIPL highlighted that this initiative aims to benefit especially Indian tourists and travelers who visit Qatar. This initiative allows users to make UPI payments across retail stores, tourist attractions, leisure sites, duty-free shops, and hotels in Qatar. This will allow tourists and travelers from India to enjoy the faster and most efficient payment system of India called the UPI which will cut down on traveler’s time as it is both faster and more convenient than traditional options.
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UPI international expands
With the launch of the UPI payment system in Qatar now Qatar will join other countries like France, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and UAE, who have launched UPI services in their country which allow Indian travelers to use UPI-based payment in this country.
It is important to note that the launch of UPI in Qatar came just days after the launch of UPI in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in partnership with Network International.
Conclusion
This is a good initiative by the NCPI to expand the Indian based payment system internationally which will help Indian tourists and travelers for easy and faster payment in these countries. Notably, UPI was launched back in 2016 to change the entire payment system in India. Lastly, it is important to note that UPI can only be used if the user has an account in an Indian bank if users want to use UPI in these countries.
