Dubai, UAE; February 02, 2014: Network International, a leading payment solutions provider in the Middle East, today announced that Discover cards will now be accepted at all Network International point of sale (POS) merchants across the UAE.

Discover is the world's third largest payments network, which has millions of loyal cardholders worldwide and over 5,000 new merchants accepting the card each day globally. It is part of DFS, a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services, which among other businesses includes the Discover Network and Diners Club schemes as well as the PULSE ATM network.

Bhairav Trivedi, Chief Executive Officer, Network International said: "Network International has the largest market share of POS in the UAE, which means Discover card holders will have the widest access when using their cards within the country. This is a significant step in our partnership with Discover Financial Services, and we are very pleased to offer Discover customers the chance to shop more freely across the Emirates."

Joseph E. Hurley, SVP, Global Business Development, DFS said: "Our alliance with Network International has already proved to be mutually beneficial, and we are pleased to have reached this significant milestone on the acceptance of our cards within Network International's POS system. The UAE is a strategically important market for DFS, given the success of the country in developing substantial retail, hospitality and general tourism elements for a fast growing economy."

Paolo Zambonini, Executive Vice President - Product, Network International, said: "Access to Discover's base of affluent card members in the US, coupled with the cards of other major networks associated with Discover, will be a major boon to UAE merchants in terms of increased sales opportunities. Moreover, Network International POS merchants stand to gain significantly through the latest development."

Diners Club International, as part of the DFS, is already accepted at Network International POS merchants across the UAE, and was the first multi-purpose charge card in the world, accepted in over 185 countries globally. Diners Club UAE is owned and operated by Network International. Discover's PULSE operation also gives cardmembers access to over 1million ATMs worldwide. 

Furthermore, Discover and Network International are working together to implement Discover's D-PAS EMV solution, which will help increase transaction security for Discover, Diners Club International and Discover Network partner cardholders from around the world.

Discover's network alliances provide valuable access to Discover's global acceptance footprint and will deliver long-term value and volume to merchants and partners.

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About Network International:
Established in 1994, Network International LLC is the largest acquirer, and one of the leading payment solutions providers in the Middle East, geared to meet the needs of banks, financial institutions and large and individual retailers. It is a Principal Member of Visa International and MasterCard International for the UAE, offering customers the most comprehensive range of payment products and services for both the Issuing and Acquiring segment of the card payment industry. Offerings include credit and debit card processing services, ATM management and monitoring, merchant acquiring plus consumer finance applications. Network International provides consultancy services ranging from planning and designing, to developing of new card and consumer finance products and services.

Network International is the first independent vendor certified by both Visa & MasterCard for card payments in the Middle East. It is the UAE's largest payment acquirer for Credit & Debit Cards and the largest third-party processing vendor offering complete EMV certified solutions as institutions migrate to EMV Smart Card technology.

For further information, please contact:
Sudha Chandran / Ajith Henry
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Dubai, UAE
Tel: 971-4-4507600 Fax: 971-4-4358040
Email: Sudha.chandran@bm.com / ajith.henry@bm.com

© Press Release 2014