The Cradle
Visa and Mastercard processed their first international card transactions in Syria on Wednesday just days after Washington removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Qatar’s QNB Group said it and Mastercard completed the world’s first end-to-end international card payment in Syria. Separately, Visa said it conducted its first live international transaction in the country in partnership with Lebanon-based Fransabank.
Syria’s self-appointed President Ahmad al-Sharaa participated in Visa’s test by making a card payment at a restaurant in Damascus’ historic Old City, according to footage released by state-run Syrian Response. Central Bank Governor Mohammed Safwat Raslan was also present.
Syria’s central bank told Reuters that the transactions marked the beginning of international card payment services in the country following months of technical preparations and testing, although the service is not yet available nationwide.
The Most Revolutionary Act 