In order to further enhance services to its partners and customers in Kuwait, MasterCard International, a global leader in the payment solutions industry, announces it has chosen Qualitynet as their communication network partner.

The move has been made in response to the growing volume of MasterCard's business in Kuwait. According to Karim Madhoob, MasterCard's Network Engineering Manager for Middle East/Africa, fast, secure and accurate communication of data is critical to the company's operations.

"MasterCard continually invests in upgrading its communications networks, in order to provide optimum service levels. As the leading provider of communication solutions and services to the public and private financial sector of Kuwait, we found the perfect partner in Qualitynet," continued Karim. "Our global operation standards require the latest technology in the communication industry, to ensure that efficiency and quality levels continually improve."

Through this agreement, Qualitynet will install and manage the local communications network for MasterCard in Kuwait, using the very latest communication technology.

As a result, MasterCard's links to all major banks in Kuwait will be significantly improved through a new high speed and high capacity WAN (Wide Area Network). The network, which is backed up with ISDN technology, will communicate MasterCard’s day-to-day transactions online.

"We will host the MasterCard platform in Kuwait to cater to the specific requirements of this quality-conscious and demanding organisation," commented Qualitynet’s Marketing & Sales General Manager, Yousif Ahmed. “Qualitynet will also ensure that MasterCard cardholders/ transactions within Kuwait have easy and convenient access to the MasterCard global network," Yousif Ahmed stated.

Mohamed Belarj, Senior Vice President and General Manager, MasterCard International, Middle East/North Africa Region stated that "We enjoy a position as a leader in delivering the most cutting-edge, secure payment technologies available today, and we intend to leverage this strength further through the enhancement of our communication network in Kuwait."

Belarj added that this is the latest in a number of regional initiatives designed to help member banks take advantage of growing business and new e-commerce opportunities.

"It is an expression of our commitment to our members that we continue to make investments such as this,” he added, “MasterCard has a long history of taking a lead role in the payment industry – especially when it comes to emerging technologies. We stay ahead by constantly focusing on changing technologies and trends in the global payments market. Our commitment to Kuwait will enable us to become an even more integral part of both the real and the virtual marketplace."

MasterCard International has the most comprehensive portfolio of payment brands in the world. More than 1.7 billion MasterCardâ, Cirrusâ and Maestroâ logos are present on credit, charge and debit cards in circulation today. An association comprised of more than 20,000 member financial institutions, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses, both large and small, in 210 countries and territories. MasterCard is the leader in quality and innovation, offering a wide range of payment solutions in the virtual and traditional worlds. MasterCard’s award-winning Priceless advertising campaign is now seen in 81 countries and in more than 36 languages, giving the MasterCard brand reach and scope unrivalled by any competitor in the industry. With more than 21 million acceptance locations, no other card is accepted in more places and by more merchants than the MasterCard Card. In 2000, gross dollar volume exceeded US$857 billion. MasterCard can be reached through its World Wide Web site at http://www.mastercard.com.