Benefit, Ant International to introduce cross-border QR payments in Bahrain

Core Insights - Benefit and Ant International are collaborating to introduce cross-border QR payments in Bahrain by 2026, integrating Benefit's QR payment scheme with Ant International's Alipay+ global wallet gateway [1][2] - The partnership aims to connect Bahrain with global markets, enhancing the payment infrastructure for over 15,000 merchants in Bahrain to accept international QR payments [2][5] - The initiative is part of a broader strategy by Ant International to expand its presence in the Middle East, including the opening of its first office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [4][6] Group 1 - The collaboration will enable consumers in Bahrain to use local payment methods internationally through the BENEFIT network, facilitating digital payments at Alipay+ enabled merchants globally [3][5] - The partnership includes knowledge exchange, technical know-how sharing, and joint marketing initiatives to enhance cross-border payment solutions [3][6] - Alipay+ currently connects over 1.8 billion user accounts from more than 40 digital payment partners to approximately 150 million merchants across over 100 markets [2][4] Group 2 - Benefit's CEO emphasized that the collaboration will build an advanced infrastructure linking local and international markets, providing a secure and seamless payment experience [5][6] - The initiative is seen as a significant step towards innovative financial solutions that enhance cross-border payments and support digital transformation in Bahrain's financial sector [6] - Alipay+ is already integrated with ten national QR payment schemes in various countries, indicating its established presence in the region [4]