DOHA: Qatar First Bank (QFB), Qatar’s first independent Shariah-compliant bank regulated by QFC Regulatory Authority, yesterday announced the launch of the first Shariah-compliant metal ‘World Elite MasterCard Charge Card’ in Qatar and the Mena region. The launch is the opening initiative in QFB’s recently announced strategy of becoming a full-service Shariah-compliant institution and is undertaken in collaboration with MasterCard, a leading technology company in the global payments industry.
This highly exclusive metal QFB World Elite MasterCard Charge Card is accepted at more than 35.9 million outlets in over 210 countries.
It will be offered by invitation only. The card provides an innovative experience–based service platform for affluent customers and is packed with a host of high value benefits and rewards which include travel benefits, lifestyle concierge and insurance, among others.
A key feature of the card is the World Elite Affluent Gateway - a dedicated ‘one call’ gateway for tailored concierge services. Cardholders will also have access to over 600 airport lounges around the world, along with exclusive travel promotions and luxury retail shopping advantages. The QFB World Elite Card is a service proposition which introduces privileged dining, travelling and shopping experiences in addition to providing access to prestigious venues and global events.
One of the salient features of the card is the donation of a percentage of each customer’s monthly spending to Qatar-based charities among these the Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF).
Chief Executive Officer of QFB, Emad Mansour, said: “We are proud to be the first bank to launch a Shariah-compliant metal charge card in Qatar and Mena. Affluent clients demand unique experiences in dining, travel or shopping. Our carefully-tailored proposition promises to take these experiences to the next level. Our QFB World Elite MasterCard Charge Card will allow our affluent clients to enjoy personalised offers, priority status and impeccable hospitality wherever they go. It is their passport to a richer and more exclusive lifestyle.”
Area Business Head for Qatar, Oman and Kuwait at MasterCard, Safdar Khan, commented: “This is the first metal payment card to be issued in the Mena region, and we are pleased to introduce this innovative product with QFB. Qatar is an important market for MasterCard, and we will continue to grow our Shariah-compliant offerings with financial institutions as we develop tailored payment solutions to suit consumers’ lifestyles in the country”.
Chief Executive Officer of Network International, Bhairav Trivedi, added: “We are delighted to partner with QFB, in its endeavour to meet the contemporary needs of its High Net Worth clients.” The Peninsula
