Page 67 - SAMENA Trends - February-March 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Pakistan Likely to Get Its First Ever International Payment Gateway

The government of Pakistan is keen user sensitive approach has been adopted payments. It has also requested for details
on advancing the nation’s digital and the ministry has requested the users to of security-related aspects in obtaining
infrastructure and is therefore planning provide a detailed feedback regarding the international payments and fraud-related
to introduce the country’s first ever IPG features for enhanced usability of IPG. This issues when dealing with international and
to provide ease of doing business to the system aims to facilitate the acceptance of cross-border payments. The Ministry has
digital users. The Ministry of Information electronic payment for online transactions. invited suggestions from the users as to
Technology and Telecommunication and Freelancers, e-commerce retailers and what they would like for the government
the National IT Board (NITB) is going to small traders need to define their needs for to do to meet their particular needs
launch the country’s first IPG. The Ministry international payments to benefit from IPG. when making online transactions. The
said that it was aiming for User’s Digital The Ministry has also asked the concerned IPG targets to make the digital payment
payments with ease, convenience and people to disclose the problems that they system as convenient, fast and secure as
enhanced safety. To make this possible, a have been facing in receiving international it possibly can for the digital users.

Italy's Leonardo To Provide Cyber
Test and Training Systems to
Qatar

Italy’s Leonardo has signed a contract with Qatar Foundation
for Education, Science and Community Development to provide
cyber-security services, the aerospace and defence group
said. Under the deal, Leonardo will supply Qatar Computing
Research Institute (QCRI) its platform to facilitate training of
cyber security operators and allow the institute to assess the
resilience of digital infrastructure against cyber-attacks.

Oman Issues E-Payment Framework for Small Businesses

Oman has announced a framework transactions across the country, as or small restaurants. The new government
allowing small businesses to use electronic well as a national e-commerce strategy directive will allow these entities to acquire
payment services, the Sultanate’s state already implemented in the public and e-payment facilities – payment cards,
news agency has reported. The move by private sectors. The framework applies mobile transactions, electronic wallet
the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) is part to micro-businesses with less than ten applications – from licensed banks and
of a larger campaign to promote cashless employees, such as gas delivery services payment service providers.

Pakistan, Germany Agree to Enhance Cooperation in IT Sector

Pakistan and Germany have agreed to countries in the field of IT and telecom. He was conducive. The German ambassador
enhance cooperation in the information said that steps were underway to fulfill the appreciated the IT minister’s role in
technology (IT) and telecommunication vision of Digital Pakistan. He said that his the development of Pakistan’s IT and
sector. The understanding was reached ministry was taking concrete measures telecom sector. IT & Telecommunication
during a meeting between Federal IT to develop the country’s IT and telecom Secretary Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui was also
and Telecommunication Minister Syed sector, which was why information and present in the meeting. Separately, Syed
Aminul Haque and German Ambassador communication technology (ICT) export Aminul Haque held a virtual meeting with
to Pakistan Bernhard Schlagheck. remittances surged 40pc to $958 million in International Telecommunication Union
Welcoming the ambassador at his office, July–December FY21 as compared to last (ITU)-BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Aminul Haque said Pakistan greatly values year. He urged the German IT and telecom to discuss issues pertaining to connectivity
its relations with Germany and wants to companies to invest in Pakistan as the and telecommunication services.
enhance cooperation between the two environment for investment in the latter
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