Technology

UPI Launched In Qatar To Boost Cross-Border Payments & Trade

UPI Launched In Qatar To Boost Cross-Border Payments & Trade

New Delhi, Oct 7 (KNN) India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has been introduced in Qatar, with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal launching the platform at Lulu Hypermarket in Doha.

The move enables seamless and cost-effective transactions between India and Qatar.

This initiative forms part of India’s broader strategy to expand its digital payment ecosystem globally and reinforce financial ties with other countries.

Announcing the launch on X, Piyush Goyal said, “Proud to launch Bharat’s own #UPI at Lulu Hypermarket in Doha, Qatar. This launch is a game-changer for digital connectivity and ease of payments, reflecting India’s commitment to facilitating cross-border commerce and leveraging ‘Digital India’ initiatives.”

He noted that the system is operational at Qatar National Bank’s point-of-sale (POS) terminals, covering a large part of the Qatari market. According to him, this initiative will benefit Indian travellers and strengthen trade and tourism between India and Qatar.

At the Doha event, Goyal spoke at Lulu Mall, describing the launch as more than just a technological milestone.

“I’m very delighted at the opportunity to launch UPI and UPI transactions. It is not just a technology solution or a digital payment solution, but it has the potential to revolutionise trade between Qatar and India. It’s the celebration of India’s technology,” he said, reported ANI.

The minister emphasized that linking UPI with Qatar’s payment systems will help strengthen mutual trust between the two nations.

“It’s an opportunity to expand our trust between Qatar and India because as we seamlessly integrate the payment systems of both countries, our people will be able to trade more, trade smarter at lower cost,” Goyal remarked.

NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) partnered with Qatar National Bank (QNB) and the Japanese payments gateway NETSTARS to launch UPI services in Qatar.

He added that the system will allow money transfers to occur faster, almost in real time. “The movement of money and capital will be faster, almost real-time, with a very low cost associated with it. It will become the symbol of trust across borders,” he said.

Qatar has become the eighth country to adopt UPI, marking a further expansion of India’s global financial presence.