PhonePe has enabled UPI services in UAE via Neopay terminals of Mashreq, which partnered with NPCI in 2021.
 
                Photo Credit: PhonePe
NRIs in UAE can also link their NRE and NRO accounts with PhonePe to make UPI payments
 
            
            PhonePe launched its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Indian travellers as well as NRIs residing in the country on March 28. This service will now allow PhonePe users to make rapid digital transactions by scanning a QR code at retail stores, dining outlets, and other tourist attractions. The service is being enabled through UAE's major bank Mashreq via its Neopay terminals. Notably, a report recently claimed that WhatsApp was also testing international UPI payments via its mobile apps for Indian users.
In a press release, PhonePe said that users will be able to make UPI payments in UAE through Mashreq's Neopay terminals, which is available across a wide range of outlets. The UAE-based bank partnered with the National Payments Corporation of India's (NPCI) International Payments Limited (NIPL) in 2021. That collaboration paved the path for PhonePe to form a new partnership with Mashreq to utilise the terminals for its platform.
“We aim to actively collaborate with financial institutions around the world, fostering partnerships to deliver convenient and secure cross-border payment solutions for consumers. This partnership encourages fintech collaboration and unifies the ecosystem to streamline payment processes for Indian travelers to UAE,” Anubhav Sharma, Deputy Chief – Partnership Business Development & Marketing, NIPL said.
The service will work in a fairly straightforward way. Users can simply scan the QR code located at the outlets to make payments. The transaction will occur in Indian currency while the users will see the currency exchange rate for transparency. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) will also be able to avail this service using UAE mobile numbers by downloading the app and linking their existing Non-Resident External (NRE) and Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) accounts. The company said that this service is aimed at enhancing the convenience of transactions for the Indian community in the UAE.
Ritesh Pai, CEO of International Payments, PhonePe said at the launch of the service, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Mashreq. UAE is a very popular destination, with millions of Indian visitors every year. With this partnership, customers can now conveniently transact through UPI, a payment method they are familiar with.”
Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.
 Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 Now Streaming Online: Know Everything About Plot, Streaming, Cast, and More
                            
                            
                                Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 Now Streaming Online: Know Everything About Plot, Streaming, Cast, and More
                            
                        
                     MediaTek Dimensity 8500 SoC Architecture, Specifications Leaked; Could Launch Soon
                            
                            
                                MediaTek Dimensity 8500 SoC Architecture, Specifications Leaked; Could Launch Soon
                            
                        
                     Bitcoin Slips to $109,000 as Traders React to Uncertainty Over Future US Fed Rate Cuts
                            
                            
                                Bitcoin Slips to $109,000 as Traders React to Uncertainty Over Future US Fed Rate Cuts
                            
                        
                     OnePlus 15T Launch Timeline, Key Features Leaked Again; Could Feature a 7,000mAh Battery
                            
                            
                                OnePlus 15T Launch Timeline, Key Features Leaked Again; Could Feature a 7,000mAh Battery