Dubai, 10 June, 2007: Barclaycard, one of Europe's leading credit card businesses, is launching an innovative range of credit cards in partnership with Visa.  The cards are designed specifically for the UAE and for the first time in the region, customers will be able to choose the type of card they need, how much they pay, and the rewards they earn from using their cards.

"We have looked hard at what UAE residents need, and designed a range of cards to suit them. Working with Visa we have re-invented the way credit cards are offered in this region," says Amin Habib, Barclays managing director, UAE and GCC.

Barclaycard's move into the UAE is based on an upbeat assessment of the region's potential: "The UAE's economic development is continuing at an astonishing rate, and it is a financial powerhouse in the Middle East region. Increasing our presence in this market is a key strategy for our growth," he adds.

Barclaycard is part of the Barclays Group, which is rapidly expanding its global cards business. "Increasing our exposure in emerging markets such as the Emirates is a crucial platform for realising our growth ambition," says Mr Habib.

The card issuer is reproducing its success in the UK, where it is a market leader with more than 9 million cardholders, having launched the UK's first ever credit card in 1966. With another six million cardholders worldwide, Barclaycard sees the UAE as an opportunity to further grow its international card business.

Barclaycard's associate in its UAE launch is Visa International, widely accepted as a preferred partner by leading card issuers worldwide. "Visa has a long-established record of working with global partners, helping them deliver for customers and increase card numbers and revenue," says Aashish Bhargava, Visa's country manager for the UAE.

"Visa's reputation for innovation and our expertise in differentiating and developing card products to suit a diverse range of customers has been central to Barclaycard's landmark programme for the Emirates. "Another aspect of Visa's involvement is its leadership in chip card technology, based on the global EMV standard. This will give Barclaycard the flexibility to upgrade its cards at any time, giving cardholders improved convenience and security," he adds.

Barclaycard has had a long and profitable relationship with Visa -- for example, it is Europe's leading issuer of Visa Commercial Cards, with over 152,000 corporate customers. "We are proud to have been selected by Barclaycard to support its first card programme in the Middle East," says Mr Bhargava.

"All around the world, Visa is the most widely accepted payment card, and millions of people prefer to use Visa to pay for everyday goods, as well as for special purchases," he says. "Our goal is to bring the convenience, flexibility and security of card payments to residents in the UAE by helping Barclaycard achieve its goal of becoming one of the region's leading card issuers."

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About Visa
Visa connects cardholders, merchants and financial institutions through the world's largest electronic payments network. Visa products allow buyers and sellers to conduct commerce with ease and confidence in both the physical and virtual worlds. Visa is committed to the sustained growth of electronic payment systems to support the needs of all stakeholders and to drive economic growth.

Visa products currently generate more than $4 trillion in sales volume worldwide. Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world. In addition, Visa/Plus is one of the world's largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in over 170 countries. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.

About Barclays Global Retail and Commercial banking
Barclays Commercial Banking offers a wide spectrum of customised solutions to meet the needs of its customers. This ranges from vanilla trade finance requirements such as letters of credit and guarantees to more complex products such as commodity financing, acquisition financing and structured financing packages for specific sectors such as property. The solutions provided by Barclays Commercial Banking are tailored, and can be rapidly customised to meet the evolving needs of its growing customer base. In cognisance of the strong trade and investment linkages within the Gulf and North African region, the Barclays Commercial banking team has developed its regional hub in the UAE and as a result is able to offer a seamless and integrated offering across the Middle East and North Africa. The operation also includes Retail.  Ahmed Khan is the CEO Global Retail and Commercial Banking, Emerging Markets.

Barclays has operated in the UAE for over thirty years and is now expanding in the Emirates as part of its strategy to increase exposure to attractive emerging markets and the reach of its retail banking service. The bank launched its UAE mortgage business last year, breaking the mould with its Mini-driving sales team. From June 2007, customers in the UAE are being offered new products that make it easier to bank with Barclays.  Using technology and an innovative mobile sales force, Barclays will take its banking services to its customers in the UAE instead of the customer coming to the bank.  Barclays UAE GRCB has more than 300 employees.

Or contact:
Hicham Amrani at Visa International
+971 4 331 9690 or Fax +971 4 332 2199
Email: amranih@visa.com

Linsey Worgan, d'Events
Tel: +971 4 3311104,
Email: linsey@devents.ae

© Press Release 2007