Network International, a leading payment solutions provider in the Middle East, today announced that Discover cards will now be accepted at all Network International point of sale (POS) merchants across the UAE.

Discover is the worlds third largest payments network, which has millions of loyal cardholders worldwide and over 5,000 new merchants accepting the card each day globally. It is part of DFS, a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services, which among other businesses includes the Discover Network and Diners Club schemes as well as the PULSE ATM network.

Bhairav Trivedi, Chief Executive Officer, Network International said: Network International has the largest market share of POS in the UAE, which means Discover card holders will have the widest access when using their cards within the country. This is a significant step in our partnership with Discover Financial Services, and we are very pleased to offer Discover customers the chance to shop more freely across the Emirates.

Joseph E. Hurley, SVP, Global Business Development, DFS said: Our alliance with Network International has already proved to be mutually beneficial, and we are pleased to have reached this significant milestone on the acceptance of our cards within Network Internationals POS system. The UAE is a strategically important market for DFS, given the success of the country in developing substantial retail, hospitality and general tourism elements for a fast growing economy.

Paolo Zambonini, Executive Vice President Product, Network International, said: Access to Discovers base of affluent card members in the US, coupled with the cards of other major networks associated with Discover, will be a major boon to UAE merchants in terms of increased sales opportunities. Moreover, Network International POS merchants stand to gain significantly through the latest development.

Diners Club International, as part of the DFS, is already accepted at Network International POS merchants across the UAE, and was the first multi-purpose charge card in the world, accepted in over 185 countries globally. Diners Club UAE is owned and operated by Network International. Discovers PULSE operation also gives cardmembers access to over 1million ATMs worldwide.

Furthermore, Discover and Network International are working together to implement Discover's D-PAS EMV solution, which will help increase transaction security for Discover, Diners Club International and Discover Network partner cardholders from around the world.

Discovers network alliances provide valuable access to Discover's global acceptance footprint and will deliver long-term value and volume to merchants and partners.