For the first time in 15 years, Syrians can use Visa and Mastercard. Syria recently reconnected to global payment systems following suspension of services in 2011. The first trial of electronic payments through these global networks was done at an official ceremony in Damascus, according to local media.
At the event, Syrian Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdulsalam Haykal, stated the move was aimed at strengthening Syria's digital financial infrastructure to meet international standards, reports stated.
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Alongside the global rollout of services, the Ministry also launched Paymera, the nation's first local payment network linked to international card systems.
According to its official website, Paymera is positioning itself as a premier local payment solutions provider dedicated to simplifying and securing daily financial transactions. The merchant-centric platform offers individuals and businesses a suite of tools, including QR code payments, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, and dedicated Paymera cards.
This development follows a formal decision by the Central Bank of Syria, which officially authorised local banks and electronic payment firms to interface with global giants like Visa and Mastercard. By establishing this regulatory framework, the Central Bank has effectively cleared the path for domestic financial institutions to integrate international payment processing into their systems, as per reports.
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The restoration of these services marks the end of a long period of financial isolation for the country. Severe international sanctions, imposed between 2011 and 2012 following a violent crackdown on protesters, had cut the country off from the global financial system. According to the Khaleej Times, the measures led the global banking system and major payment networks to halt services, until they were recently restarted.
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