MasterCard announced plans to expand its contactless payments infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the installation of MasterCard PayPass terminals across more than 1000 stores by year end.

Deployment of the MasterCard’s contactless payment platform will be carried out in collaboration with the region’s acquirer, Network International, and will include coffee stores, fast food restaurants, family diners, cinemas, general retailers and convenience stores.

The introduction of PayPass terminals across the UAE will provide consumers with a secure and convenient way to pay at check-out. Cardholders can simply tap their MasterCard PayPass enabled debit, credit cards or any other PayPass enabled device such as smart phones, watches, wrist bands in front of a secure reader that accepts MasterCard PayPass payments.

In line with its objective to introduce the latest payment solutions in the region, MasterCard has taken the initiative to promote the widespread adoption of contactless payments across the Middle East with countries such as UAE, Qatar and Lebanon already showing keen interest in the new payments technology.