QNB and Qatar Foundation officials after signing the agreement for a cashless-spending environment inside Education City using co-branded card ‘Hawiyati’.

QNB has signed an agreement with Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF) to issue a multipurpose co-branded card, ‘Hawiyati’, for cashless-spending environment in QF’s flagship development, Education City.
The new card will provide QF members with a unique payment solution, while giving them access to multiple services and utilities in a safe and secure manner. It is part of QF’s vision to collectively foster a progressive society and encourage the adoption of sustainable solutions.  
According to the agreement, QNB and QF will issue and manage the prepaid smart card, which will serve as a multi-purpose ID card for students, staff and their families, QF joint ventures, and centres, as well as the employees of Sidra Medical and Research Centre and its visitors. The programme will be supported by MasterCard, which is a key business partner of QNB.
Heba al-Tamimi, QNB’s general manager of Group Retail, said: “We are proud to partner with Qatar Foundation in another programme that will mark a new era of smart payment solutions. Besides being a payment card, ‘Hawiyati’ will ensure that QF will progress to being the first ‘Cashless City’ in its entirety in Qatar, and maybe in the region.”
She said ‘Hawiyati’, which means “my identity” in Arabic, is a two-phased project that will enable holders to have a two-in-one smart card. While providing users with a unique photo ID that allows them smart access to Qatar Foundation’s campus, the card also enables them to make payments, perform e-Commerce, and have a multi-currency wallet.
QF president Saad al-Muhannadi said: “We are delighted to be partnering with QNB on this innovative concept that will transform Education City into a cashless zone. The card will provide Qatar Foundation members with ease of movement and payment as it will incorporate state-of-the-art technology, allowing for contactless payment and entrance access.” He said the ‘Hawiyati’ card was conceived as part of a wider, ongoing mission to drive innovation while seeking environmentally-friendly solutions, and it is set to take QF one step closer to achieving its ultimate goal of transforming Education City to a sustainable, thriving community, and a ‘smart-city.’ “We aim to promote productive change at home and across the region and as the first organisation to adopt this access card in Qatar. We are setting a benchmark and helping to create a prosperous, knowledge-driven nation. We look forward to presenting this card to the wider Qatar Foundation community,” al-Muhannadi said.   
Raghav Prasad, MasterCard general manager for Gulf Countries, said: “Qatar has already begun its journey towards realising its 2030 ‘cashless city’ vision. Taking this a step further, in collaboration with QNB, we are looking to go beyond traditional means and envision a society where payments are made using digital and biometric technology.”
Based on the current business, QNB and QF will issue around 55,000 cards in the first three years of the programme.
QNB Group’s presence through its subsidiaries and associate companies extends to 27 countries across three continents providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. The total number of employees is more than 15,000 operating through 635 locations with an ATM network of more than 1,350 machines.