(MENAFNEditorial) According to leading industry research, electronic-payment transactions in the MENA region will register $69 billion by 2020, making it one of the fastest growing and most competitive markets for smart payments technology.
In light of this, more than 1,000 senior decision makers from banks, retailers, leisure, transport, public sector organisations, gaming, telecoms and solutions suppliers will gather for PayExpo MENA, at the Intercontinental Festival City Dubai on 5-7 December 2016, to discover the latest ideas, trends and developments in the payments industry.
PayExpo MENA will set the 2017 global agenda for payments and highlight innovations in the region. As an example, Dubai’s ambition to become the world’s smartest city will come into focus during the keynote presentation by RTA on the smart payment plans for public transport infrastructure.
“These are exciting times for the payment industry. The next ten years will reinvent the way we live by changing the way we pay for things.” says the Director of Digital Payments at Etisalat, Sammy Tuffaha. Etisalat is an Event Partner and Sponsor of PayExpo MENA.
“As we experience the latest innovations that are setting the tone for 2017 payments evolution in the MENA region, we must appreciate the vision and efforts that we see in the area. For example, UAE’s goal to become a predominantly cashless society and the increasing penetration of touch-less payments are some of the many benchmarks that need to be reinforced and supported. However, such initiatives will require serious coordination among all industry players and relative entities. Specialized events like PayExpo will help bridge the gap between the various initiatives in the region and instigate the needed synchronization for mass adaptation.” adds Mr Tuffaha and continues, “The industry must strive towards digital payments enablement via the implementation of FinTech solutions and in conjunction of advanced technology concepts like blockchain and biometrics. This will rapidly lead to cultural transformation of cashless payments and simpler consumer journey across all aspects of the daily life”.
Conference topics will include payments for empowerment, the latest on the relationship between blockchain and banking, the global FinTech scene, cashless payments, and the future of payments. Highlights among these, the sessions on enhancing and encouraging the global FinTech and ecommerce scene will give delegates the opportunity to learn about the mistakes to avoid in providing a platform to support development in the growing world of ecommerce.
With financial services changing at different rates around the world, the revolutionizing mobile financial services and banking around the world strand will spotlight regional developments. Emirates NBD will participate in a panel on how current payment and information security systems can be secured, while the Pan-African panel debate will discuss how traditional financial institutions are serving the needs of the banked, un-banked and under-banked.
As threats are increasing, the security, authentication and biometrics stream will advise on avoiding fraud and ensuring systems are secure through the use of biometrics and maintaining security levels on all POS devices whether that be online, mobile or in-store. Blackberry’s Regional Director of Advanced Security Assurance, will lead a discussion on the strengths and pitfalls of using digital currencies over traditional banking.
With Iranian sanctions being lifted and thus exposure to international markets, Bank Pasargad will contribute with an exploration the role of established banks in payments innovation. Also forming part of the Blockchain and banking programme, Jon Matonis Founding Director, Bitcoin Foundation, will examine digital currency, a particularly controversial topic in the Middle East.
Other speakers set to share their expertise from across the globe include representatives from banks based in Oman, Kenya, Tanzania, Mexico, Turkey and Nigeria, while expert practitioners from organisations including Uber, Blackberry, Accenture, LEGO and the Russian Electronic Money Federation will deliver invaluable knowledge and experience.
Michael Seaman, event director of PayExpo MENA,
said: “This world class conference will unite the payments industry under one roof for two packed days of valuable insights and experiences.”
A full two-day conference pass is $999+ VAT for those who book before 4 November and $1,299+VAT for those that book on or after 5 November. Full details are available at: paymentsworldseries.circdata-solutions.co.uk/RFG/publish/PEXM2016/
Complimentary passes are available for those involved with specifying payments solutions at: Retail Banks; Investors and Venture Capitalists, Merchants; Mobile Network Operators, Gaming Executives, Transport Operators, Hotel and Leisure Executives, Start-ups and Non-Government Authorities.
Registration is now open at: www.payexpo.com/mena/welcome
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