Doha, 08 January 2010 - QNB Al Islami and Qatar's Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs signed an agreement to launch "Thimaar".   The agreement was signed by QNB Group Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ali Shareef Al-Emadi and H.E. Ahmad bin Abdulla Almari, Minister of Awqaf & Islamic Affairs. 

"Thimaar" is a new e-payment system that will be distributed in the form of prepaid cards to beneficiaries of the Ministry's Sandoq Al-Zakat program inclusive of a fixed usage value, with balances being updated automatically each month.  It is not a debit card and therefore does not provide cash at ATMs.

The new system will replace the coupons distributed each month by the Ministry to beneficiaries for purchasing goods at Al Meera supermarket. The e-payment cards, like the coupons they replace, will remain valid for use at Al Meera points of sale. However, the Ministry also said that in its drive to enhance the service, more merchants will be inducted to this program in the near future.

The move is part of the Ministry's continuing efforts to provide the citizens and residents of Qatar, especially the beneficiaries of the Ministry's various programs with enhanced access by utilising modern technology.

With the modern and innovative financial services provided by QNB Al 

 Ministry will be able to provide a seamless service to beneficiaries of the Sandoq Al-Zakat program. 

The electronic system also allows the Ministry to reduce the back-office work required to support the program, giving beneficiaries faster service by eliminating the time they spend collecting coupons as well as concealing their identity.

QNB Al Islami was one of the first Islamic financial institutions in Qatar to offer electronic banking services to its retail and corporate customers and continues to be a leader in this field, with numerous products and services available to customers via the bank's internet banking portal.

QNB Group has implemented numerous other e-payment solutions for government entities in Qatar, including The Supreme Judicial Council, The Ministry of Energy and Industry, The Civil Aviation Authority and The Ministry of Health which worked alongside QNB to switch their payment systems to accept e-Cash cards as a primary mode of payment.