NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) announced on Wednesday that, in partnership with Qatar National Bank, it has enabled the acceptance of QR code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) across Qatar via point-of-sale (POS) terminals for merchants acquired by Qatar National Bank and powered by NETSTARS’ payment solution.

This move will enable Indian travellers to make UPI payments seamlessly at major tourist attractions and Qatar Duty Free outlets, marking the first merchant to go live on UPI.

Indians are the second largest group of international visitors to Qatar, according to Qatar Tourism. This partnership will enable them to make real-time transactions nationwide, reducing the need to carry cash and the hassle of currency exchange. The acceptance of UPI in Qatar promotes interoperability and expands UPI’s global reach.

“We aim to enhance the acceptance of UPI globally and create a truly interoperable global payment network. The partnership with QNB is a step towards this journey. It will help millions of Indian travellers make seamless, secure digital transactions and reduce their dependence on cash,” said Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO, NPCI International, in a statement.

Moreover, it is expected to benefit Qatar’s retail and tourism sectors as UPI acceptance will increase transaction volumes of merchants acquired by QNB. This will further help them in scaling their business while offering convenience to customers. 

“We are excited to introduce UPI in Qatar and proud to be at the forefront of innovating the payment landscape. This milestone not only enhances the convenience for Indian travellers but also brings significant benefits to the Qatari market by promoting cashless transactions, boosting the retail and tourist sectors, and strengthening interoperability in the payments ecosystem. Importantly, it will also enable local merchants to thrive by attracting more customers and providing them with seamless digital payment options,” said Yousef Mahmoud Al-Neama, Group Chief Business Officer, QNB.

In February last year, in a move to strengthen digital payment infrastructure and deepen economic ties, India expanded its UPI services to Sri Lanka and Mauritius. The introduction of UPI services in these nations facilitates the accessibility of UPI settlement services for Indian citizens travelling to Sri Lanka and Mauritius, as well as for Mauritian nationals journeying to India. 

The extension of RuPay card services in Mauritius, on the other hand, enables Mauritian banks to issue RuPay-based cards, facilitating the use of RuPay cards for settlements in both India and Mauritius.