Visa and Mastercard have carried out their first international card transactions in Syria, marking a step toward reconnecting the country with global payment networks after Washington removed it from its state sponsors of terrorism list.
QNB Group said it and Mastercard completed what it described as the first end-to-end international card payment in Syria. Separately, Visa tested a live international transaction with Lebanon-based Fransabank and Syrian payments technology company Paymera.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa took part in the Visa test by making a card payment at a restaurant in Damascus, according to a video published by Syrian Response. Central Bank Governor Mohammed Safwat Raslan was also present.
The central bank said the transactions followed months of technical preparations and testing, but international card services are not yet available nationwide. QNB said its system allows eligible Syrian merchants, including hotels, restaurants and government entities, to accept international Mastercard credit cards through point-of-sale terminals. The rollout will expand gradually, subject to regulatory approvals.
Visa said it aims to enable international visitors to use their cards in Syria. The central bank added that rebuilding correspondent banking relationships and restoring broader international banking access will require further work on compliance, governance, risk management, cybersecurity and regulatory oversight.
Source: bdnews24
