Ranked number one in global smartphone penetration at 80 percent, Dubai is the site of the annual Cards and Payments Middle East conference, and Verifone will be there.

For Verifone in the Middle East, our goal is to support diverse advancements in payments tech and commerce solutions working through our local partners. Not only can I say with pride we have new business wins, but we also have some really exciting new products which will bring simplicity, security, and sophistication to retailers in the regions.

KNET Partnership and McDonald’s

Starting with business success, we are opening up the door to more convenient payments in Kuwait with the launch of the Verifone VX520 in conjunction with local partner KNET, Kuwait’s national switch and leading payment provider.
With a young population and the region’s highest mobile internet usage, Kuwait is a perfect market for NFC payments. As well as delivering convenient, fast and secure mobile and contactless payments, NFC will bring access to new connected services to drive merchant revenue and stimulate growth. Working with local partners such as KNET, we are championing NFC throughout the Middle East, using the VX520 to accelerate NFC acceptance and encourage more consumers to switch from cash to e-payment.

Verifone and KNET are also working together to serve McDonald’s. Customers at McDonald’s in Kuwait can now create their own burgers with McDonald’s “Create Your Taste” self-service kiosks, which are being enabled by Verifone and KNET. We are aiming to boost customer satisfaction by making fast food even faster by eliminating long cashier queues. Customers can quickly customize orders and pay at the new touchscreen kiosk then pick up their meal at the counter.

Geidea Partnership Advances Verifone VX Series in Saudi Arabia

Next, I am delighted that our new partner in Saudi Arabia, Geidea, has achieved full certification for the Verifone VX520 and VX675. Thanks to our partner’s efforts, these devices are now authorised by Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) for use on the official payment platform Saudi Payments Network (SPAN). Obtaining SAMA certification is a notoriously lengthy and challenging process but it is a necessary requirement for all local point-of-sale (POS) software and terminals. It is a testament to Geidea’s expertise managing the certification process so smoothly and on a short timescale. We look forward to growing our business with Geidea as it begins to roll out the VX series with its own customised software.