Experts Set To Debate Trends, Recognise Industry Leaders At Annual Conference and Awards Dedicated To Region’s Prepaid Card Sector
As the region’s cashless payment sector experiences rapid digital growth, the upcoming Prepaid Summit: Middle East and Africa 2016 looks to debate the latest trends and award industry players who have made significant contributions to its development.
The summit now in its seventh year, is set to take place on April 27 at the Shangri-La in Dubai, gathering more than 150 global and regional industry players. Visa is on-board as the event’s gold sponsor. Confirmed delegates include decision-makers representing banking, cards and financial services, technology providers, retailers, researchers and analysts
In line with the growth of the burgeoning sector, this year’s summit will feature developments from across the MEA regions with representation from UAE, Kuwait, Lebanon and KSA ready to debate, discuss and discover practical solutions to the most pressing industry questions.
Reflecting on the latest trends affecting the global economy, the agenda has been developed to explore the vision of prepaid in the digital era – current and future advancements that will continue to drive the success of the industry.
Presentations will include exploratory case studies on virtual companion cards, digital apps and innovative online platforms. Expert panel discussions will further explore digital innovations and the latest opportunities for prepaid markets in the Middle East & Africa.
The annual Awards have also grown to encompass the MEA region, with 14 awards announced earlier this year and more than 50 nominations received from local and regional organisations.
Local retail companies such as Majid al Futtaim Finance, have been nominated in four categories including Prepaid Innovation, Government Initiative and Prepaid Retailer. Meanwhile Emirates NBD Prepaid Security/Anti Fraud Programme of the Year Award.
KSA looks to have five nominations across three categories with entries from Riyad Bank, Bank AlJazira, The Saudi Investment Bank, Bank Albilad and Al Rajhi Bank.
This year’s Award categories have attracted contenders from Lebanon, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Nigeria, Lagos and Cote D’Ivoire in Africa, as well as the UAE.
Douglas Blakey, Group Editor for Consumer Finance at the event organiser’s, Timetric Financial Services commented: “All the nominations play a vital role in the summit and in fact in the global industry, acting as a driving force to encourage sector players to innovate their offerings and embrace the digital revolution. The result is the sector is growing and evolving. Indeed, we are witnessing an era of digital advancement which can fuel the sector to even greater heights.”