Doha: Visa Inc, the world's largest retail payment network, yesterday announced the signing of a long-term alliance with Doha Bank, one of the leading banks in Qatar and the GCC. The signing represents a strategic partnership, which aims to grow the bank's debit card business in Qatar and improve the card payment experience for cardholders.
As part of the strategic alliance, Doha Bank launched the Visa Debit Platinum, which becomes the first such card to be issued in Qatar. Visa will support Doha Bank to further develop the bank's debit portfolio and enhance customer experiences by increasing usage capabilities. This includes access to Visa's unrivalled global acceptance by 29 million merchants, 1.4 million ATMs across 170 countries and territories, as well as increased flexibility, convenience and security that Visa debit products offer.
Tony Gougassian, Visa Inc's Area Manager for Levant and Qatar, said: "Our signing with Doha Bank on our debit alliance represents a milestone for Visa in growing the debit card capabilities in Qatar. We are delighted to partner with an industry leader such as Doha Bank to further extend the convenience and security of electronic payments over cash and cheques."
Doha Bank is Qatar's largest issuer of Visa debit cards and has won a variety of accolades and awards, the last being "The Best Commercial Bank in the Middle East for 2009".
Doha Bank's group CEO, R Seetharaman said: "We have always maintained a strong and historical relationship with Visa Inc. through the variety of Visa products that we offer to our customers in Qatar, Dubai, and Kuwait on both credit and debit cards. We are delighted to sign this agreement with Visa inc. in order to continue bringing the best offerings and services to our customers and the market as a whole."
Nabil Tabbara, Executive Manager for Retail Banking said:" We have been associated with Visa since more than 15 years over which Doha Bank has launched a variety of Visa products in the market tailored to various segments from debit to Dream cards, Visa virtuon for Internet usage, and Al Asriya card for ladies. We are currently running the Go with Visa, travel around the world campaign and continue to compliment our offerings with the unique and exclusive debit platinum card, issued for the first time in Qatar. The Visa debit platinum card will offer customers exceptional spending power with esteemed recognition. It comes with free travel insurance, extended warranty on purchases and impeccable services around the world in case of urgent need for cash or immediate replacement in just one working day. This new card is branded with Al Riyada service of Doha Bank, which will be offered to VIP and privileged customers and by invitation only.
Al Riyada, he added, is designed to serve a special status of clients who expect the highest standards in banking and finance with distinctive host of services and exclusive benefits across multiple product lines. Al Riyada gives its customers access to a wide range of financial products, banking services tailored to be recognized through the unique Visa Debit Platinum Cards granting special recognition for Al Riyada distinguished customers at any Doha Bank branch in Qatar and around the world.
© The Peninsula 2009
