Qatar has launched its “first national e-card with registered Qatari brand,” named Himyan, as announced by the Qatar Central Bank.
This initiative aligns with the country’s Third Financial Sector Strategy, emphasizing the development of Qatar’s digital payments infrastructure.
Himyan represents a significant advancement in the realm of electronic payment solutions in Qatar, promising to enrich the array of services available to local bank customers while fostering financial inclusion and propelling the nation towards a cashless society.
The strategic goal behind the introduction of Himyan is to position Qatar’s financial market as a leader in innovation, efficiency, and investor protection.
This move is part of the broader effort to realize the economic aspirations outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030. As the first national e-card under a Qatari brand owned by the Qatar Central Bank (QCB), Himyan symbolizes one of the bank’s key national initiatives aimed at enhancing the digital payments system.
This effort is designed to cater to the increasing demand for fintech services while promoting Qatari brands through a card that adheres to international standards and technological advancements.
Himyan offers several benefits over existing local cards in other countries, including lower transaction costs for issuers, collectors, and merchants, and support for contactless transactions through the national network NAPS.
The card employs smart chip technology and PIN codes to ensure flexibility, security, and protection of customer data—a central objective of the QCB.
Furthermore, Himyan enables customers to withdraw and deposit funds at all ATMs across Qatar, make payments at points of sale, and conduct online shopping 24×7 without interruption, using the QPAY payment portal.
The card will be issued by local banks, including QNB, Doha Bank, Masraf Al Rayan, Qatar Islamic Bank, Dukhan Bank, Qatar International Islamic Bank, and Commercial Bank, free of charge for first-time customers.
This development underscores Qatar’s ongoing commitment to reinforcing its position as a regional financial hub through sound financial policies and the promotion of technological innovation, in line with the Third National Development Strategy and the Qatar National Vision 2030.
