In a significant development for Indian tourists visiting the UAE, Network International has introduced the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for seamless payment experiences.
This initiative allows travelers to utilize India's popular UPI system to make payments at over 60,000 merchants nationwide, spanning retail, hospitality, transport, and supermarkets.
Network International, in partnership with NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL), aims to enhance payment convenience for the growing influx of Indian visitors to the UAE. UPI, India’s largest instant payments platform boasting 350 million active users, processed a staggering 14.04 billion transactions in May 2024 alone. This collaboration leverages Network’s extensive network of 200,000 terminals across the UAE to facilitate safe and secure cross-border transactions via QR codes.
Network's CEO, Nandan Mer, highlighted the move as a step towards realizing the UAE’s digital vision, while Jamal Al Nassai emphasized the strategic benefits of integrating UPI into their payment ecosystem.
Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NPCI International, emphasized the partnership’s role in expanding UPI's footprint abroad, promising Indian travelers a familiar and efficient payment method. With expectations of 9.8 million Indian tourists visiting GCC countries in 2024, including 5.29 million to the UAE, this initiative is poised to significantly enhance visitor experiences and bolster economic ties between India and the UAE.
News Source: Khaleej Times
