Doha: In a major boost for Indian travelers and expatriates, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has officially been launched in Qatar through a partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Qatar National Bank (QNB).
With the rollout, payments at duty-free stores can now be made simply by scanning QR codes, removing the need to carry physical currency. Authorities confirmed that UPI will soon be extended to more retail outlets across Qatar.
India is the second-largest source of tourists to Qatar, and the initiative aims to make their travel experience smoother. “We are delighted to introduce UPI in Qatar. This will not only bring convenience to Indian travelers but also promote cashless transactions, boosting Qatar’s economy,” said Yousef Mahmoud Al Neama, QNB Group Chief Business Officer.
Calling it a step toward a global interoperable payments network, Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NIPL, noted that the launch underlines UPI’s growing worldwide acceptance.
The development comes shortly after the successful introduction of UPI in the UAE, signaling India’s growing fintech footprint on the global stage.
