Digital Qatar Vol.2

Digital Qatar Thursday, April 8, 2021

Digital Incubation Center Special Supplement

An initiative to boost your Startups

The Digital Incubation Center of the Ministry of Transport and The winner’s ideas harness emerging technologies such as artificial number of incubated startups to 57. Our incubated entrepreneurs benefit
Communications (MOTC) has recently announced the 25 winners intelligence, advanced analytics and the Internet of things to serve from operational and technical support, working office spaces, as well as
of the fourth edition of IdeaCamp, which was held virtually for the sectors of education, health care, sports tourism, agriculture, regular training and mentorship sessions to accelerate the growth of their
the first time, in line with the precautionary measures for COVID19. The environment and transportation. enterprises. “
announcement was made at a virtual ceremony attended by Reem
Mohamed Al Mansouri, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society On this occasion, Reem Al Mansoori, MOTC’s Assistant In order to ensure that entrepreneurs have easy access to DIC and
Development Sector at MOTC. The ceremony was also organized to Undersecretary for Digital Society Development Affairs, said: “The Digital get answers to their pressing questions about IdeaCamp, the Digital
celebrate the graduation of 17 startups that completed their incubation Society sector has an integrated strategic vision that aims to support Incubation Center organized 9 orientation sessions before the start of
in 2020. digital innovations that harness emerging technologies and create a IdeaCamp, through which entrepreneurs were encouraged to register for
fostering environment for them to continue their success in the Qatari IdeaCamp.
The announcement of the 25 IdeaCamp winners comes after a market.”
round of pitching by 40 shortlisted startups in front of a distinguished A total of 150 ideas were selected. The entrepreneurs behind these
jury panel that included experts in the field from Ooredoo, Qatar Duha Ali Al-Buhendi, Digital Incubation Center Acting Manager, ideas have met DIC’s criteria to attend IdeasCamp training workshops,
Development Bank, Tasmu Smart Qatar, QRDI, Bedaya Center and said: “DIC is committed to providing support to digital entrepreneurs in over the course of 6 weeks with over 33 training hours and mentoring
AppLab. Qatar. We are proud of the success of the virtual edition of IdeaCamp sessions for entrepreneurs to build and integrate their business models.
and our incubation of 25 new digital startups, which brings the total
The virtual ceremony also celebrated the graduation of 17 startups
that have completed their incubation period at DIC in 2020, which brings
the total of graduated startups to 100, these startups are Raeyi, Baqaala,
Tomoh, Qertas, Saakin, EButler, PMOBytes, Bonocle, Spas Go, Medline
Arabia, Xpander, ESmart Academy, Greenhat, Skilancer Solar Solar,
NewsAmp, The Real Estate CRM and Artist Qatar.

The Digital Incubation Center was established in line with the
Ministry of Transport and Communications’ vision to create a supportive
ecosystem for the digital startup sector in Qatar.  Since 2011, 100 startups
have successfully graduated from DIC, 18 of which have expanded
internationally.

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2 Special Supplement Digital Qatar
Thursday, April 8, 2021

QIB Mobile App
Answer to all your banking needs
Qatar Islamic Bank has embarked on a significant digital
transformation journey with its core focus to provide its customers end digital solutions that allow all retail customers to bank with QIB 24/7,
with the most convenient and easy to use banking solutions. and from anywhere in the world through either Internet Banking or the
Leading the banking sector on digitization, QIB has introduced end-to- QIB Mobile App, now the primary banking channel of QIB’s customers to
fulfil all their banking needs in an easier, faster, and safer way.

Mobile App includes over
100 features, accessible
from any location across
the globe and at any time
round-the-clock. You can
download the App from
Apple Store, Google Play,
and Huawei AppGallery,
self-register in just a few
clicks and enjoy a digital
banking experience like
never before

Instant credit card

The hustle and bustle in applying for a Credit Card is long gone with QIB’s Instant Credit Card product. QIB
is the first bank in Qatar to provide customers the opportunity to apply for, and get approval on a credit card
exclusively via the Mob App. It only takes 5 minutes where customers can login to QIB Mobile App, request a
Credit Card, receive approval, and have the new card ready for use in just a few hours. The card will be printed
and delivered to your doorstep upon your request, and you can start using it immediately.

More than a mobile banking App Account for domestic workers

The QIB Mobile App is an award-winning digital one-stop-shop answering to all your banking needs. With Domestic workers can open a bank account using the QIB Mobile App, free of charge and without a
the introduction of major services, some of them for the first time in Qatar, the Mobile App now includes over minimum balance. Domestic workers can directly download the QIB Mobile App and open their account in
100 features, accessible from any location across the globe and at any time round-the-clock. Whether you just a few clicks. Once the onboarding journey is finished, the employer of the domestic worker will receive
are an existing QIB customer or not, you can download the App from Apple Store, Google Play, and Huawei notification to approve the account opening, afterwards the account will be automatically activated with no
AppGallery, self-register in just a few clicks and enjoy a digital banking experience like never before. need to physically visit any QIB branch.

QIB is the first bank in Qatar to introduce a completely digital solution to open a bank account using your
smartphone. The process is easy and smooth, and you do not need to visit a branch or submit any physical
paperwork. Whether you are a Qatari citizen or a resident in Qatar, you just need to download the QIB Mobile
App, take a selfie, and upload scanned copies of your Qatari ID, Passport (for residents) and Salary Certificate
(if you want to open a current account). Your account will then be activated where you will have access to
plenty of options and benefits!

Misk account and benefits

Open a Misk Saving Account through the QIB Mobile App in a fast, simple, and convenient way from the
comfort of your home or office and start saving for your future through your smartphone. Simply download the
QIB Mob App, scan the needed identification documents, verify your data and there you have your very own
savings account where you can also win big! Having a Misk account guarantees you plenty of benefits, from
Absher rewards points to being eligible to enter the weekly, monthly, and annual grand prize draws. Every week,
15 lucky Misk account holder winners are entitled to win QAR 10,000 each, 2 monthly winners are eligible for
QAR 50,000 each, and 1 lucky winner will get the QAR 1 Million annual grand prize.

Personal financing in just 5 minutes

QIB offers you the fastest and fully digital way to obtain personal financing in Qatar. And in only 5 minutes,
you will receive the money in your account! If the customer is eligible, the entire process is 100% digital and
available via the QIB Mobile App from requesting the finance, to uploading the needed documents, until
receiving the notification that money has been credited to your account, it’s all available via the QIB Mob App.

International money transfer

The QIB Mobile App offers you the fastest and easiest way to send money to more than 500,000 locations
in the world via Western Union. The Mobile App is now your choice to send money to across 200 countries
around the world in 10 minutes, but if you are sending money to bank accounts in India, choose the Digital
Direct Remit service on the Mobile App that lets you do so within just 60 seconds!



4 Special Supplement Digital Qatar
Thursday, April 8, 2021
MOTC to develop
“Doha Institute has assets and national digital skills
achievements in the field of training
provided by the Excellence Center
for Training and Consulting. Further,
the signing of the MoU will allow the
exchange of scientific, knowledge,
expertise and experts, especially in
scientific research and training.” –

Associate Professor, Dean of the School of Public
Administration and Development Economics at DI
Prof. Hamid Ali.

Reem Mohamed al-Mansoori and Prof Hamid Ali signing the agreement.

The Ministry of Transport and objectives of the Qatar Digital Government
Communications and Doha Institute for Strategy and digital transformation plans in
Graduate Studies (DI) recently signed an Qatar.
MoU to boost ties of constructive cooperation,
exchange information and expertise and “We are pleased to sign this MoU with Doha
develop joint activities in the field of developing Institute for Graduate Studies and broaden
digital skills in Qatar. the scope of cooperation and scientific,
knowledge and research exchange with one
The MoU was signed by MOTC Assistant of the most reputed Qatari institutions in the
Undersecretary of Digital Society Development field of research projects and scientific and
Reem Mohammed Al-Mansoori and Associate knowledge production and we are confident this
Professor, Dean of the School of Public cooperation will serve the digital transformation
Administration and Development Economics at plans in the country.”
DI Prof. Hamid Ali.
From his Part, Dr. Hamid Ali, Dean of
As per the MoU, the two parties will be the School of Public Administration and
cooperating in the fields of conducting research Development Economics (SPADE) at the Doha
and studies of common interest and exchanging Institute for Graduate Studies (DI), stated that
academic resources experienced in the field. the DI is a leading institution for research on
They will be also cooperating in organizing social and economic trends affecting the needs
workshops and symposia on topics of of digital skills in Qatar, fully prepared to share
developing the professional and executive skills and offer its academic experience and conduct
and leadership of Qatari nationals to contribute training courses, as well as to provide academic
to the digital transformation of the country. staff who have regional and global experience.
Dr Hamid added that the Doha Institute has
Commenting on the MoU, Al-Mansoori assets and achievements in the field of training
said that the Qatar Digital Government provided by the Excellence Center for Training
Training Programme of MOTC will continue to and Consulting. Further, the signing of the MoU
collaborate with partners and best technology will allow the exchange of scientific, knowledge,
service providers to provide high-quality training expertise and experts, especially in scientific
and boost the opportunities of accessing research and training.
international certifications in the field of IT for
ICT personnel working in the government sector. As per the MoU, DI students will be able
This, she noted, could guarantee the continuity to participate in the training courses QDGTP
of developing high-efficient managerial and provides and QDGTP beneficiaries will have
leadership capacities in technology domains access to the professional training and programs
with a view of enhancing the execution of the that DI provides.

Digital Qatar Special Supplement 5
Thursday, April 8, 2021
QNL’s bid to preserve heritage
through digitisation

By QNA

Qatar National Library (QNL) is taking
a leading role in preserving the culture
and history of Qatar, the Gulf, and the
Arab and Islamic worlds. To fulfill this important
mission, the library’s facilities are equipped with
the resources, technology and infrastructure to
provide the highest quality digitisation of heritage
items, preserving and making them accessible to
researchers for generations to come.

Digitisation describes a process where physical
materials are converted into digital versions which
can be understood and stored by computers. QNL
has, as of now, digitised over 10mn pages from
various collections including 5mn Arabic pages
from its Heritage Collection and nearly 2.8mn
pages from the Arabic Collection of New York
University.

Digital conversion of materials has advanced QNL’s digitisation technicians scan a “The library is committed to the preservation These include projects at New York University
rapidly in the past few years, with QNL at the wide variety of heritage items, including rare of heritage items not only in our region, but across (NYU) of more than 8,000 Arabic books in NYU
forefront of this process in the Middle East and on manuscripts, books, maps, newspapers, magazines, the entire Islamic world. We have come a long way library collections, which will also be available on
the world stage. The library digitises information photos and microfilms. Technicians then go in building a reliable process to digitise content for QNL’s online platforms.
via Optical Character Recognition (OCR), the through each individual item to ensure its quality the benefit of spreading rich Arabic knowledge,
technical practice of extracting text from images. is controlled, performing tasks such as colour and we are committed to working harder to fulfil Nasser al-Ansari adds: “Our team’s goals are
The process itself is becoming popular in terms curve correction, editing resolution settings, image that goal. Having access to the latest technology at numerous; we want to increase and enhance the
of usage and research, as it spans multiple areas compression and noise removal. the library enables us to realise this ambition.” visibility, accessibility and usability of the library’s
of science, including image processing, machine collections, and those of other organisations,
learning, information retrieval and artificial Nasser al-Ansari, director of IT Operations and In addition to ongoing efforts to digitise QNL’s including unique and rare materials that meet
intelligence. Infrastructure at QNL says the library’s digitisation collections of rare books, manuscripts, maps and research and educational needs. We also want to
processes tie in with its overall mission to preserve photographs, the library’s Digitisation Center provide access to collections at QNL which can no
Hany Abdellatif, head of Digitisation Services Islamic history and culture, and technological works on digitisation projects with other heritage longer be physically available due to their fragile
at QNL, is responsible for overseeing the library’s advances are making this vision become reality. collections in Qatar and international institutions. condition.”
huge digitisation efforts.
Preservation has developed into a critically
“Using OCR images brings the documents important part of managing QNL’s most precious
to life and allows users to discover every bit of assets—its collection. Digitisation is a key cog in this
information stored within. At the Library, we have process, and the library’s digitisation technicians
mastered multiple techniques and algorithms to are acutely aware of the importance of their role.
capture text; these methods include both human
and automated process.” Hany Abdellatif says: “We also hope to
encourage the creation of digital Arabic content,
The library digitises information via while protecting the original materials by reducing
Optical Character Recognition (OCR), the frequent handling during reference use, and
technical practice of extracting text from maintain important Arab and Islamic heritage and
images. The process itself is becoming historical materials, preserving our history for many
popular in terms of usage and research, years to come.”
as it spans multiple areas of science,
including image processing, machine Nasser al-Ansari also sees digitisation
learning, information retrieval and as complimenting other preservation and
artificial intelligence. conservation services:

The marriage of human interaction with “Digitisation is part of a package of long-term
technological advances, he says, is vital to ensuring investment for our heritage items, and an important
the success of the process. section of our preservation and conservation
services. Unlike microfilm, digital images don’t help
“We have built an accurate system which to preserve the original; digitisation assists us by
streamlines our work, and harmonises the roles and reducing physical wear and tear on the original.
responsibilities between humans and machines to It’s therefore vital that we see digitization not as
reach the maximum quality of the extracted text. replacement for a proper preservation program,
With the proper tools and algorithms, the library’s based on conservation treatments or improved
digitisation team has built a system which covers storage conditions, but as part of this holistic
99% of printed Arabic text based on shape, quality process of conservation of our treasures.”
and size. It’s a process which has taken some
time to master, but we now have a system that is
accurate and reliable.”

6 Special Supplement Digital Qatar
Thursday, April 8, 2021

The first bank in Qatar to
launch full suite of Visa
Corporate Card Solutions

Doha Bank has collaborated with Visa, the world’s leader in
digital payments, to become the first bank in Qatar to launch
a full suite of Visa Corporate Card solutions catering for
SMEs and corporate clients in Qatar.

The launch revealed Doha Bank’s new Visa Corporate Card
solutions, whereby businesses and corporates are able to manage
and have greater control over their employee expenses, travel &
entertainment expenses and general business expenses in a simple
and easy manner.

Businesses and corporates are now able to simply go online
and access a self-service tool – Visa Payment Controls, where
they are able to effectively manage their Visa Corporate Card
programme by establishing limits for each card, establishing
account alerts and avoid improper business spend by placing
robust controls around time, location, category and spending
limits.

Doha Bank’s key focus is to address “Payments to Suppliers”
for which the Visa Corporate Card can function as a payment
tool for Qatar’s key corporates and the SME sector – allowing for
cash flow extension and stronger working capital management
especially during the pandemic period where cash flow has been a
key issue across the market.

Simplifying payments allows businesses to not only streamline
their accounts payable function and pay their suppliers in a digital
fashion with ease, but it gives back time to allow businesses to

Businesses and corporates will now
be able to manage and have greater
control over their employee expenses,
travel & entertainment expenses and
general business expenses in a simple
and easy manner.

focus on their core objectives such as running a business and
increasing revenue and profitability.

Doha Bank is also currently working with Visa to issue Virtual
Corporate Cards in the near future – a technology that allows
instant issuance of a one-time use virtual cards to suppliers in the
“buyer and supplier” supply chain.

In addition, this will also benefit travel use cases when a one-
time card is sent to the mobile phone of individuals/employees
when they receive their hotel’s final checkout bill to settle.

“The Doha Bank Visa
Corporate Card will not only
help us build our clientele
but will also help corporates
adopt smarter and robust
technologies.”

Braik Al Marri, Chief Retail
Banking Officer

On this occasion Braik Al Marri – Chief Retail Banking Officer
said, “Doha Bank is proud and excited to add yet another product
to its vast array of services. With the bank’s focus to be a driving
force in the local Qatari economy, the Doha Bank Visa Corporate
Card will not only help us build our clientele but will also help
corporates adopt smarter and robust technologies. Doha Bank
and Visa share a strong relationship and have partnered on various
“first-in-the-market products” in the recent past. The launch of the
Doha Bank Visa Corporate Card reinforces our commitment to our
long-standing partnership with Visa and to the growing payment
needs in the local economy.”

The bank is also currently working with
Visa to issue Virtual Corporate Cards
in the near future – a technology that
allows instant issuance of a one-time
use virtual cards to suppliers in the
‘buyer and supplier’ supply chain.

Dr. Sudheer Nair, Visa’s Country Manager for Qatar, said, “We
are delighted to see Doha Bank become the first bank in Qatar to
launch our full suite of Visa Corporate card solutions for the local
businesses. After a difficult year for many businesses, particularly
SMBs, our Visa Corporate Card solution is an attractive proposition
for businesses looking to reduce cost and streamline expense
reporting both easily and securely. We continue to work closely
with our partners like Doha Bank in supporting local businesses in
their recovery and the country’s economic growth.”



8 Special Supplement Digital Qatar
Thursday, April 8, 2021

Pfohr ysussitcaainlaIbnltee, srenceutre-,Arevsiisliieonnt

supply chains

Interview with Benoit Montreuil, Professor, Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering;
Director, Physical Internet Center; Director, Supply Chain & Logistics Institute,
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta

Interviewed by Eric Beckwitt, Founder and CEO, Freightera Asia has a huge opportunity for transformation and Q. Can you describe the core systems and layers of
innovation. China is moving very quickly now. The action this new logistics model? You mentioned a multi-layer
Benoit Montreuil is the to date on Physical Internet development in Asia has been architecture?
father of the Physical driven by companies, but now the government is starting A. The Physical Internet defines a global hyperconnected
Internet, a concept to get involved. logistics system enabling seamless multi-party
he elaborated while at North America – Although the Physical Internet was asset sharing and multimodal flow consolidation,
Université Laval, Quebec invented in Canada, there has been no government through open standard protocols and interfaces, and
and disseminated in a series engagement so far there. People in Canada are starting modular containerization. Similar to the Digital Internet, it
of papers, starting in 2010 to work on PI, but very small projects so far.  In the US, leverages a multi-layer open logistic interconnection model.
and evolving until now. Amazon, Americold, UPS and other technology firms are The hyperconnectivity stems from intense digital, physical,
As summarized by Prof. getting increasingly interested in building the Physical operational, transactional and legal interconnectivity,
Dr. J Rod Franklin, P.E.,  at Internet. When I went to Seattle last fall, I met with several ultimately anytime, anywhere. This impacts all PI protocols:
transmetrics.eu: “The leaders in Amazon’s transportation, supply chain and we are involved with several trials and refining how to share
Physical Internet is a vision logistics teams: they are well aware of the Physical Internet. information, how to operate and make decisions, how to
of how physical objects Indeed, Amazon has been hiring my graduate students. make and record transactions, and how to handle legal
might be moved via a set That said, most firms don’t see the big picture yet. At issues, in PI networks.
of processes, procedures, Georgia Tech, around thirty of our graduate students In China, Water Mirror is a new startup working on an
systems and mechanisms are now working on the Physical Internet, most through operating system for the Physical Internet. In Europe,
from an origin point to research projects with industry. MixMove is a venture focused on enabling logistics facilities
a desired destination in a Benoit Montreuil, Professor, Stewart School to perform PI-type open consolidation and coordination.
manner analogous to how of Industrial & Systems Engineering at Q. What are the exceptions? Which big firms are My goal is to have millions of companies using the same
the Internet moves packets Georgia Tech interested in the Physical Internet? standard protocol. Platform operators need this to be
of information from a host A. The logistics service providers are more and more interoperable.
computer to another host computer.” engaged toward the Physical Internet: SF Express in China,
Americold and UPS in the USA, Yamato in Japan, and DHL Q. Have you patented these protocols, so they cannot be
Q. What are the advantages to society and consumers? in Europe. privatized?
A. For society, the Physical Internet (PI) enables order-of- Among the top brands, Proctor & Gamble is a big player in
magnitude improvements in the efficiency, sustainability, this PI game. Amazon already leverages PI concepts in its A. No, we decided not to patent. We want the foundations
security, trustability and resilience of supply chains, fulfillment center network. Sephora is looking seriously into of the Physical Internet to be open to everyone. We do
logistics, and freight transportation, all around the world, the impact of PI on its omnichannel operations, and other however want governance of the standards and protocols.
within each company and across industries. retailers are planning projects. We are thinking how to guide collective action. We have a
For consumers across the world and in every locality, this series of papers along that thread, but not yet a centralized
means cheaper, greener, faster, more convenient, and Q. In terms of research and innovation, who is interested? set of standards and protocols everyone uses.
reliable goods access, pickup and delivery, in normal times A. There is a high interest in PI research and innovation It is very important that the Physical Internet has standards,
as well as during peak and crisis times. by numerous players in the industry. At Georgia Tech, we and not let tech companies set them and compete in a
currently have important projects with logistics service way that breaks down the targeted hyperconnectivity
Q. What is the current status of building the Physical providers Americold, Home Depot, SF Express, and UPS. and its induced efficiency and sustainability. For example,
Internet? Daimler/Mercedes is getting a Physical Internet project on PI containers are meant to be reusable, recyclable, smart,
A. Each region is approaching this differently. Europe has the road.  We work with technology ventures such as Clear connected, modular-size containers, with IP addresses,
been aware and active since 2010. The Alliance for Logistics Distribution in Montreal and farm-to-restaurant startup made of light and renewable materials, and equipped with
Innovation Through Collaboration (ALICE), supported Farm’d. connectors to easily join them. We need standards for three
by the European Union, made the Physical Internet a key Overall, the Physical Internet globally is now in an different tiers of such containers: Packaging containers
part of their freight systems. Now planning for complete “embryonic” state, although still orders of magnitude (designed to avoid damaging product and to be constantly
Physical Internet system by 2030. They are making good more advanced than I expected at this stage. To make reused), Handling containers (for moving and being stored
progress and have the most advanced PI implementation meaningful progress now, we need to access decision- in facilities and carriers), and Transport containers (like the
roadmap in the world, and has significant momentum makers directly, then show them how this works and how it existing shipping containers, but many more modular sizes).
with projects notably in Austria, France, Germany, and the benefits them.
Netherlands. Courtesy: Originally appeared on Freightera website

Digital Qatar Special Supplement 9
Thursday, April 8, 2021

Pact with Microsoft to upgrade
government entities

The Ministry of Transport and Communications agreements is in the good interest of the government more than 60,000 versions of OfficePro that allows “malomatia intends to bring its rich local
recently hosted several government entities with what we have gained – a high quality yield that integration with Office 365 cloud computing services; knowledge and capabilities to this agreement. We
at a virtual event to introduce the “Microsoft pays off significantly well in terms of efficiency and activating more than 70,000 accounts on MS Teams are determined to expand our operations locally
Government Framework Agreement 2020-2023” customer satisfaction, something which contributes to to allow for broader interaction and integration with strong talents and certified team in the various
signed between the Government of the State of Qatar achieving QNV2030 and e-Government Strategy. between employees as well as for easier remote work domains of Microsoft technologies and solutions.  Our
represented by MOTC and Microsoft represented by and meetings; and activating more than 45,000 goal is work closely with our partners to deliver more
its two local agents; malomatia and Ebla, who formed The COVID-19 pandemic, she said, has shown the accounts on OneDrive for easy, fast storage and efficiency and improve the return of investments to all
the first consortium of its kind in the history of the vital role that digital technology plays amid an ever- access of documents anytime, anywhere. stakeholders”, said Yousef Al-Naama, Chief Executive
agreement since 2003. accelerating digital transformation worldwide with Officer, malomatia.
regard to services provided to the people, including In terms of document security, a number of
The agreement provides for technical support telework systems, videoconferences at and outside services has been also activated
for all Microsoft licenses and software used in of workplaces, and access to healthcare, education, at government entities such
government entities, including for computer and user commodities and basic services. as Azure Active Directory for
licenses (Office 365), server licenses such as Windows some 80,000 users, Multi-Factor
Servers, database server licenses such as SQL Server, The previous edition of this agreement, she added, Authentication and Azure
and other licenses already deployed at government had been of a big role during the pandemic as the Information Protection.
entities, in addition to cloud computing services government, represented by MOTC, adopted an
through Microsoft Azure. ambitious digital transformation plan that featured Through this new
installing, activating and running several software agreement, Al-Hammadi
Addressing the event, which was attended by over needed by entities and which also offer several said, MOTC is embracing an
100 personnel from multiple government entities, channels for interaction and cooperation between advanced vision to make sure
Acting Assistant Undersecretary of Government personnel of the same government entity and with the benefits of government
Information Technology, MOTC, Mashael Ali Al- other entities. investment in cloud computing
Hammadi, said that now more than a decade into the and advanced services such
approach of framework agreements we can confirm Examples of software covered in the digital as Microsoft Azure reach all
that the return for Qatar government’s investment in transformation plan include updating computer government entities, particularly
purchasing global companies’ software through such operating system on more than 70,000 machines the services focused on
at government entities to Windows 10; upgrading information security.

SkipCash

sAonluintinoonvative mobile payment

SkipCash, a Qatari mobile payment technology company, promotes “Due to its quality and ease of its service along with the high “SkipCash seeks to make the most out
innovative and contactless mobile payment solutions to provide degree of security and privacy, SkipCash managed to position itself as of the significant technology revolution
one of the unique and safe payment services for both individuals a leading digital platform in the market. We built trust in a short period to provide consumers with an innovative
and merchants. among a large number of partners and individuals who believed that range of unique digital payment services
SkipCash is the best solution to pay and gain a range of great benefits and multi-benefit programmes” -
SkipCash is the innovation of Qatari entrepreneur Mohamed in one app,” he said. Mohamed Abdulaziz al-Delaimi, founder
Abdulaziz al-Delaimi, who has a long experience in technology. He and managing director for SkipCash
devised a product to meet the local fintech sector requirements and fill SkipCash application can be easily downloaded on mobiles through
in digital payments gaps, decreasing the dependency on cash or even the Google Play Store or Apple Store on iOS. The application is
bank cards. user-friendly thanks to its perfectly designed platform. Besides, users
can leverage from wide range of other services including track of all
In addition, SkipCash is the ideal contactless payment method payments, check the latest promotions and discounts from various
during the pandemic and represents the perfect payment solution for merchants, view their rewards, and identify the merchant’s locations
individuals and merchants. along with their products and services. Users can also link their bank
card with SkipCash account and use it without adding a balance.
SkipCash was licensed by Qatar Financial Centre in 2019, and
approved by Qatar Central Bank, after which the team started the new Moreover, the app offers merchants several advantages such
platform driving it to win third place in the 3rd edition of the Digital as reducing the operation cost as they will not need machines for
Incubation Centre at the Ministry of Transport and Communications. payments, downloading the app for free and receiving their payments
anywhere. Besides, they can collect and analyze data to promote and
The company introduced its flagship SkipCash application in two develop their business to meet consumer trends.
levels, for merchants and individual users, and launched its actual
operation in December 2020 to be Qatar’s leading mobile digital SkipCash is an innovative digital platform that provides all
payment solution. contributors from merchants, individuals, and banks the opportunity
to collaborate and enhance the way of payments through this digital
“SkipCash seeks to make the most out of the significant technology platform.
revolution to provide consumers with an innovative range of unique
digital payment services and multi-benefit programmes. We are Besides, SkipCash generates positive results on the Qatari economy,
pleased to introduce this special service to the Qatari market, which has driving the digital cashless economy and provides pioneering solutions
been developed by national skills to optimise our society and homeland for contactless payment, especially during the current pandemic.
and to keep pace with the prevailing global trends in this field,” al-
Delaimi, founder and managing director for SkipCash, said. Startups are the pillar of a countries economy, which are considered
a great tool to improve overall performance, create jobs in the market
and stimulate the economy.

Customers can now download the app on smartphones and enjoy
contactless digital payment without the need for cash or bank card.
SkipCash is currently available in more than 120 restaurants, shops,
coffee shops, sports clubs, hotels, and even transport services.

10 Special Supplement Digital Qatar
Wednesday, April 7, 2021