Qatar Intl. Islamic Bank Chairman Visits Mastercard HQ in London

To strengthen Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB) relations with the world’s leading companies in the field of payments, QIIB Chairman Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Thani Al Thani recently visited the regional headquarters of MasterCard in the British Capital, London, accompanied by QIIB’s CEO Dr. Abdulbasit Ahmed Al Shaibei, and Chief of Business Development and Alternative Channels Sector Omar Abdelaziz Al Meer. During the visit, the QIIB officials were welcomed by MasterCard’s Vice-Chairman of Senior Client Partnerships and Relationships Gilberto Caldart, Division President for Middle East and North Africa Khalid Elgibali, and Country Manager of Qatar, Oman and Kuwait Nadia Ghissassi. Caldart welcomed Sheikh Dr. Khalid and his accompanying delegation, and said: “The relations between QIIB and MasterCard are long-standing, this visit will undoubtedly establish an even stronger relationship and more effective cooperation with regards to payment solutions provided by MasterCard”. Caldart also highlighted the significant development witnessed by the Qatari banking sector, its adoption of the latest internationally approved technology and its interest in various digital solutions, which have become a crucial element in today’s world.

Sheikh Dr. Khalid said: “QIIB is satisfied with the strong relations with MasterCard, which have yielded positive results for both parties in the field of card payments and digital payments alongside many other projects. The continuous cooperation between QIIB and MasterCard reflects a mutual desire to enhance and develop the future of payments, which will generate wider options for our customers and many benefits provided by the world’s leading payments technology company, MasterCard”. The QIIB Chairman went on to stress that ‘enhancing the relations with MasterCard will enable QIIB to move forward in implementing its plans to promote digital transformation and create more technological solutions that are in line with Islamic Sharia, allowing QIIB to become a futuristic bank that provides all banking requirements for its customers digitally’. In his remarks, Dr. Al Shaibei said: “The future opportunities available for cooperation between QIIB and MasterCard are vast, especially in light of the steady growth in demand for digital solutions and card payments”. He added: “QIIB customers can build their trust in the pioneering technological solutions that MasterCard will provide through this agreement, which will contribute in spreading the culture of using digital transactions by making them safe, simple, smart, and easily accessible”.

The QIIB CEO also thanked Elgibali and the senior management team of MasterCard for their interest in working with QIIB, and their sincere desire and intention to transform the cooperation into many programs that will benefit both parties. The QIIB delegation’s visit to the MasterCard headquarters, which was headed by Sheikh Dr. Khalid, included a tour with Caldart to the MasterCard Experience Center which was developed by the company to expand the future horizons of payment solutions for its customers and partners. Sheikh Dr. Khalid listened to a detailed presentation on the programs, solutions and innovation of activities conducted by MasterCard, as well as the company’s efforts in the field of innovation and development, in particular the enhancement of digital security and investing in the future of digital solutions that constitute the technology of the future. At the conclusion of the visit, Sheikh Dr. Khalid expressed his thanks to Caldart and his team for the warm welcome and the innovative ideas which were presented during the meeting. He also stressed that work will be done according to organised programs to transform what was presented in the talks into a collaborative set of programs that contribute to enhancing the partnership between QIIB and MasterCard.