NPCI International Payments (NIPL), the global division of the payment system NPCI, announced on Thursday that it has entered into an agreement with Qatar National Bank (QNB) to introduce QR-code-based UPI payments throughout Qatar. This collaboration will facilitate UPI (Unified Payments Interface) payment acceptance across Qatar via the QNB merchant network, allowing Indian travelers to seamlessly conduct transactions using the payment service.
Indian tourists will have the option to use UPI for transactions at retail stores, tourist attractions, duty-free shops, and hotels.
“Merchants in Qatar will greatly benefit from UPI, as it provides access to a larger customer base and enhances payment and collection efficiency,” said Anubhav Sharma, Deputy Chief – Partnerships and Business Development at NPCI International.
In India, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) operates the UPI ecosystem. NIPL, a wholly owned subsidiary of NPCI, is dedicated to expanding the reach of RuPay and UPI beyond India.
“With the acceptance of this new digital payment solution, we are transforming the way transactions are conducted, significantly enhancing the travel experience. We are confident that this strategic initiative will not only boost the travel and hospitality sectors but also empower local merchants to thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace,” said Adel Ali Al-Malki, Senior Executive VP of QNB Group Retail Banking.
The expansion in Qatar is part of NIPL’s broader efforts to grow internationally.
In June, NIPL signed an agreement with the central bank of Peru to develop a UPI-like payment system in the South American country. In May, the payment body entered into an agreement with the Bank of Namibia (BoN) to create an instant payment system similar to UPI in the African nation.
NPCI has also extended UPI infrastructure to other countries, including France, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Mauritius. In February, it announced a partnership with e-commerce and proximity payments company Lyra to enable UPI acceptance in France. That same month, UPI services were launched in Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
In January 2024, NPCI announced the launch of the UPI-PayNow linkage, allowing Indians to receive remittances directly into their bank accounts from Singapore and vice versa.