Ithmaar Bank, a Bahrain-based Islamic retail bank, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Batelco, Bahrain’s leading telecom provider, and Arab Financial Services (AFS), one of the region’s leading electronic payments outsourcing service providers, to launch the kingdom’s first mobile payment service.  

The official launch of this newly introduced service will take place on January 12.

The new service uses secure Near Field Communication (NFC) tags to eliminate the need for cash or cards by allowing customers to shop simply by tapping their mobile phones at the checkout counters of participating merchants.

The launch marks a key milestone for the Bahrain retail market, potentially revolutionising customer shopping experiences with secure, real-time payments now possible directly from their mobile phone, said the statement.
 
To use the new service, customers need to subscribe for an Ithmaar Bank prepaid eCard at their nearest Batelco shop or Ithmaar Bank branches and receive their NFC tags, which can then be used at participating merchants.

Batelco Bahrain CEO Engineer Muna Al Hashemi said the new service is part of Batelco’s drive to introduce the best-in-class digital solutions using cutting-edge technology.

“Batelco has continuously embedded innovation as a central to its strategy with the aim of delivering first class customer experience. This new service is a step forward towards this aim, opening exciting opportunities in the future as technology, digital banking and customers’ needs continue to evolve,” she added.

“Mobile customers can now enjoy a hassle-free transaction at the partnered retail outlets through this convenient and reliable service,” she added.

Ithmaar Bank chief executive officer Ahmed Abdul Rahim said the new service builds on the bank’s history of innovation and its commitment to offering customers a premium Islamic banking experience.  

“Ithmaar Bank played a pioneering role in the establishment and subsequent development of Islamic banking in the region,” said Abdul Rahim. “We developed this new service with AFS, the technology provider, in line with our long-standing commitment to continuously improving our products and services, and are pleased to be partnering with Batelco to help make this innovative service available to as many people as possible,” he said.

Arab Financial Services CEO B Chandrasekhar said: “AFS has been a leader in providing innovative payment services in MENA region for over three decades. We are proud to launch the first of its kind NFC enabled mobile payments solution in Bahrain and are delighted to partner with Batelco and Ithmaar Bank for this service. We have plans to introduce more innovative products to create an enhanced customer e