Saudi and Qatari Central Banks Announce Cross-Border Payment Card Integration

RIYADH — The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), in cooperation with Qatar Central Bank, announced that the acceptance of national payment cards “mada” in Qatar and “HIMYAN” in Saudi Arabia will be rolled out gradually.

The acceptance of the two countries’ national payment cards reflects their continued cooperation and integration in payments. It also supports joint Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) efforts to develop shared payment infrastructure and expand the acceptance of national cards across GCC countries, in line with the strategic objectives of economic and financial integration.

The Gulf Payment Network (GCC-NET) enables citizens and expatriates of GCC countries to withdraw cash from ATMs and make payments at POS terminals using GCC network debit cards. This helps make payments easier, more efficient, and less costly for customers, while improving the quality of services provided across the GCC.