India, Sept. 25 -- Indian travellers to Qatar may no longer need to carry large amounts of cash or foreign exchange cards, as NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), in partnership with Qatar National Bank (QNB), has introduced QR code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance nationwide. The system operates through NETSTARS' payment solution and is now available on QNB's point-of-sale terminals. NIPL is the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Qatar Duty Free has become the first merchant to go live, with UPI payments now possible at its outlets and major tourist attractions across the country. Indians are the second-largest group of international visitors to Qatar, and NPCI says the tie-up wil...